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LITH  or  S4I10NY  AMAJOR.I.r  FULTON  £'?    NfAft    ^AJli.    ^ 


L  I  F  E 

OF 

MAJOR-GENERAL 

ZACHART    TAYLOE; 

WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  HIS 

BRILLIANT  ACHIEVEMENTS  ON  THE  RIO  GRANDE, 

AND  ELSEWHERE  ; 

INCLUDING  HIS  DEFENCE  OF  FORT  HARRISON,  AND 
BATTLE  OF  OKEE-CHO-BEE. 

WITH 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  LIVES  AND  HEROIC  ACTS 

of 

MAJOR  RINGGOLD,  COLONEL  CROSS,  MAJOR  BROWN,  CAPTAIN  MONT- 
GOMERY, CAPTAIN  MAY,  LIEUT.  RIDGLEY,  LIEUT.  BLAKE, 
CAPT.  WALKER,  LIEUT.  JORDAN,  CAPT.  LOWD, 

AND    OTHERS  ;    ALSO, 

A  LIST  OF  NAMES  OF  OFFICERS  FROM  NEW  YORK  STATE 

ENGAGED  IN  THE   DEFENCE    OF  FORT  BROWN,  AND  IN  THE  ACTIONS 
OF  THE   8tH   AND   9tH   OF  MAY. 

WITH   PORTRAIT    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


BY  C.  FRANK  POWELL, 

AUTHOR  OF  "  DHOONDIAH,"  ETC. 


NEW  YORK: 
D.  APPLETON  &  COMPANY,  200  BROADWAY. 

PHILADELPHIA: 
GEO.  S.  APPLETON,  148  CHESNUT  STREET 

M  DCCC  XLVI. 


s   ^> 


Entered,  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  184G, 

By  D.  APPLETON  &  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerli's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern 
District  of  New  York. 


PREFACE. 


The  author  of  the  "  Life  and  Times  of  Louis  Phi- 
lippe," says  in  his  preface,  "  The  desire  that  is  implanted 
in  the  human  breast,  of  approaching  those  who  have 
filled  distinguished  parts  in  the  theatre  of  human  ac- 
tion— those  who  have  secured  the  highest  pedestals  in 
the  pantheon  of  political  fame — those  who  have  ac- 
quired a  memorable  name  by  the  exercise  of  personal 
authority  over  a  large  portion  of  their  fellow-creatures, 
will  forever  give  to  biography  a  high  moral  influence, 
and  an  interest  superior  to  any  that  general  history  can 
excite.  Time  intervenes  to  remove  us  from  a  familiar 
intercourse  with  the  greatest  characters — space  also  pro- 
duces a  similar  separation,  but,  the  evil  of  both  cases  has 
found  its  remedy  in  the  truthful  and  laborious  produc- 
tions of  impartial  writers." 

These  remarks  are  applicable  to  the  biography  before 
us,  the  latter  being  representative  of  the  career  and 
actions  of  an  individual  who  has  occupied  a  large  space 
in  his  country's  history  and  affections,  and  which  actions 
should  form  an  interesting  and  useful  portion  of  our 
political  knowledge.  Neither  can  we  imagine  a  task 
that  partakes  more  of  the  nature  of  a  duty  than  that 
of  commemorating,  in  a  substantial  form,  the  services 
rendered  by  an  individual  to  his  country,  especially  when 
those  services  are  of  a  marked  and  valuable  character ; 

106068 


4  PREFACE. 

both  for  ilie  incentive,  which  is  the  cflect  of  example, 
and  as  an  act  of  justice. 

As  it  has  been  our  aim  to  give  a  truthful  presentation 
of  all  important  matters  connected  with  the  career  of 
the  distinguished  subject  of  these  pages,  so  has  it  been 
our  endeavor  to  do  justice  to  all  concerned  in  the 
events  of  which  they  treat. 

The  sources  from  which  the  material  is  drawn  are 
authentic,  and  we  are  not  conscious  that  partiality  or 
predilection  has  exercised  an  influence  in  its  authorship 
or  compilation.  As  the  object  has  been  to  make  it  a 
national  work,  and  one  of  permanency,  no  class  or 
party  has  been  favored  at  the  expense  of  another. 

C.  F.  P. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page. 
Nativity  of  General  Taylor. — Education. — His  Youth. — Qualities  of  Mind,  etc. — 

Physical  Powers. — Joins  the  Army. — Promoted.^Heroic  Defence  of  Fort  Har- 
rison.— Promoted. — In  Florida. — Battle  of  Okee-cho-bee. — Placed  at  Head  of 
Army  in  Florida. — Resigns. — Takes  Command  of  Second  Department 7 

CHAPTER  II. 

General  Taylor  called  to  Texas. — Object  of  the  Expedition. — The  Policy. — Gen- 
eral Taylor's  Position. — Innuendo  repelled — General  Taylor's  grand  Plan- — 
Its  consummation. — General  Survey  of  the  Ground. — Critical  Extract 13 

CHAPTER  III. 

General  Taylor  continued. — Critical  examination  of  the  Battles  of  the  8th  and 
9th  May. — The  Light-Artillery  Arm. — Investigation  of  the  Causes  of  these 
Victories. — Demonstrations  of  Approbation. — President  confers  a  Brevet. — 
Resolutions  and  Sword  of  Louisiana  and  Tennessee. — Thanks  of  Congress. 
General  Taylor's  Talents  as  a  Military  Man  and  General. — Qualities  of 
Heart. — Personal  Appearance. — Rough  and  Ready. — His  Dress. — Character- 
istic Anecdote. — Political  Opinions. — Habits,  etc 19 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Captain  Taylor  in  1812. — His  gallant  defence  of  Fort  Harrison. — His  attempt 
to  send  dispatches  to  Governor  Harrison. — Colonel  Russel  with  his  Rangers  —     30 

CHAPTER  V 

General  Taylor's  Expedition  to  the  Prophet's  Town. — Promotion  to  Major. — Re- 
pairs to  Florida.— Battle  of  Okee-cho-bee 3B 

CHAPTER  VL 

Battle  of  Okee-cho-bee  concluded. — Effect  of  this  Battle. — Colonel  Taylor  given 
in  Command  of  Posts. — Promotion. — Takes  Command  of  Army  in  Florida.— 
Resigns. — Ordered  to  Texas 49 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Page. 
Major  RiN<i<;oLi>. — His  Nativity. — Joins  General  Scott's  Staff. — Enters  Service 

aa  Lieutenant. — Went  to  Fort  Moultrie. — Assigned  to  Company  C. — Forms 

new  Coiiiiiany. — The  Flying  Artillery. — Ordered  to  Texas. — His  services  in 

tlie  Battle  of  i'alo  Alto. — Is  wounded. — His  Death. — Remarks  of  a  Baltimore 

Editor. — Eulogy  of  a  Philadelphia  Editor  and  Judge  of  Court 50 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Major  Brown. —  Colonel  Cross,  and  Captaln  Walker. — Captain  Mont- 
(JO.MERV 56 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Captaln  C.  A.  May. — Lieute.nant  Ra.ndolpii  Ridgley 65 

CHAPTER  X. 

Movements  of  the  Army  of  Occupation  from  Corpus  Christi. — All  blatters  con- 
nected with  the  Campaign  to  the  time  of  the  Enemy's  crossing  the  Rio  Grande. 
— Letter  of  General  Taylor 71 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Captain  Thornton's  Expedition. — Principal  Events  to  the  Leaving  of  General 
Taylor  for  Point  Isabel. — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown 77 

CHAPTER  Xn. 
Battle  of  Palo  Alto 62 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma 88 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Incidenta  of  Personal  Valor. — Likut.  Gordo.v. — Lieut.  Blo^ke. — Captain  Lowd. 
— Names  of  Officers  from  New  York  State  94 


LIFE   OF   GENERAL   TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Nativity  of  General  Taylor. — Education. — His  Youth. — Qualities  of  Mind,  etc.— 
Physical  Powers. — Joins  the  Army. — Promoted. — Heroic  Defence  of  Fort  Harri- 
son.— Promoted. — In  Florida. — Battle  of  Okee-cho-bee. — Placed  at  Head  of  Army 
in  Florida. — Resigns. — Takes  Command  of  Second  Department. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  distmguished  in  his  profes- 
sion as  an  officer  in  the  United  States  Army  for  more  than  thirty 
years ;  but  recently  circumstances  have  ushered  him  most  bril- 
liantly, and  with  overwhelming  triumph,  before  the  American  people. 
Thirty-four  years  ago  his  military  talents  were  put  to  the  test  on 
a  fearful  and  trying  occasion,  when  assailed  by  wild  savages  in 
numbers  twenty  times  his  own,  and  were  found  to  be  of  a  superior 
order  and  adequate  to  the  emergency  requiring  almost  superhu- 
man abilities.  Again  his  valor  and  military  genius  exhibited  them- 
selves in  a  bold  and  difficult  achievement,  executed  with  a  great 
disparity  of  force  and  inferior  advantages  of  position,  and  they 
redounded  to  his  own  honor  and  the  glory  of  his  country.  But 
what  shall  be  the  measure  of  commendation,  the  meed  of  grati- 
tude, or  limit  of  wonder  and  admiration  to  be  rendered  for  the  glo- 
rious and  unparalleled  triumphs  of  our  arms  on  the  Rio  Grande 
through  the  guidance  of  the  same  master  spirit  ? 

Zaghary  Taylor  was  born  in  Orange  county,  Virginia,  in 
1790.  He  is  son  of  Colonel  Richard  Taylor,  who  emigrated  from 
Virginia  about  1792,  and  settled  near  Louisville,  His  father  was 
a  man  of  good  parts,  and  held  several  responsible  stations  under 
government.  Zachary,  together  with  his  elder  brother,  Hancock, 
received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  from  a  private  tutor,  named 


8  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

Elisha  Ayrcs,  a  nalive  of  Connecticut,  and  a  man  of  exemplar}' 
liabits,  sterling  moral  character,  and  peculiarly  well  calculated  to 
instnict  the  juvenile  mind,  and  mould  it  for  future  usefulness.  He 
received  Zachary  under  his  charge  at  the  age  of  six  years,  and  at 
that  lime  Colonel  Richard  was  collector  of  the  port  of  Louisville. 
Mr.  Ayres  is  still  living,  upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age,  and  re- 
sides in  his  native  town  of  Preston,  in  the  vicinity  of  Norwich, 
Connecticut.  He  takes  pleasure  in  recounting  anecdotes  of  Colonel 
Richard  and  his  family,  and  particularly  of  Zachary,  aa  he  still  calls 
him. 

He  represents  his  former  pupil  to  have  been  a  bright  scholar, 
possessing  an  active  and  inquisitive  mind,  studious  in  his  habits, 
though  of  sanguine  temperament,  apt,  yet  having  depth,  and  prom- 
ising most  fair  for  a  career  of  usefulness  in  the  walks  of  life.  He 
had  mental  qualities  of  judgment,  contemplaliveness,  stability,  and 
shrewdness  not  often  found  in  youth,  and  far  above  his  years.  But 
a  peculiar  trait  was  firmness,  not  always  attendant  on  an  ardent 
temperament,  and  which,  in  such  a  connection,  has  been  found  to 
be  an  important  characteristic  in  the  soldier.  Sudden  and  warm 
impulses  produce  grand  achievements  when  occasion  offers,  and 
when  properly  directed  by  the  concomitants  of  judgment  and  firm- 
ness ;  and  though  bravery  may  exist  in  an  eminent  degree,  a  phleg- 
matic temperament  is  calculated  to  restrain  the  exercise  of  it  at  a 
time  when  it  might  lead  to  glorious  results.  No  one  can  be  an 
adventuring  and  brilliant  soldier  without  enthusiasm  in  his  love  of 
country  and  patriotism,  and  to  which  a  predisposition  to  indolence, 
particularly  of  mind,  is  discouraging.  Though  we  are  no  eulogist 
of  juvenile  precocity,  we  think  we  perceive  in  these  traits,  as  rep- 
resented, the  budding  of  a  character  which  has  been  developed  to 
the  honor  of  our  arms  and  credit  of  the  republic. 

Anecdotes  of  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir  are  related,  one  of 
which,  regarding  his  physical  energies  as  well  as  love  of  excite- 
ment, is  his  having  swum  across  the  Ohio  river  at  Louisville — a 
feat,  though  almost  incredible,  yet  well  attested  to.  His  life  has  ever 
been  an  active  one,  and  in  youth  he  mingled  much  with  the  sports 
and  amusements  of  the  time,  exercised  his  bodily  powers  in  per- 
forming feats  of  strength  and  difficulty,  the  accompUshmcnt  of 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


which  would  often  excite  the  wonder  and  applause  of  friends  and 
rivalry  of  others.  It  is  related  that,  in  his  youthful  days,  he  mani- 
fested a  great  fondness  for  every  thing  connected  with  military, 
and  looked  forward,  with  great  anxiety,  to  the  day  when  he  should 
become  a  soldier,  or  belong,  in  some  capacity,  to  the  army.  With 
this  view,  even  before  he  commenced  a  course  of  rigid  tactical  in- 
struction, he  might  be  seen  alone,  or  with  his  comrades,  practising 
the  different  evolutions  of  a  company  drill  with  as  much  gravity 
and  emulation  as  though  under  orders  before  an  enemy,  or  going 
through  the  manual  exercise  with  the  sang  froid  of  an  accom- 
plished '  fugleman.' 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  the  United  States  Army,  as  a 
lieutenant  in  the  seventh  regiment  of  infantry,  immediately  after 
the  British  attack  upon  the  frigate  Chesapeake,  and  remained  at 
different  posts  in  the  west  until  the  commencement,  and  through 
the  war  of  1812.  He  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain  previ- 
ous to  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  and  was  engaged  in  active 
service  under  Governor  Shelby  in  his  native  state,  or  in  Indiana, 
against  the  Indians  that  were  constantly  committing  depredations 
on  our  infant  settlements,  and  spreading  death  and  destruction 
through  this  part  of  the  country. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1812,  Captain  Taylor  was  invested  with  the 
command  of  Fort  Harrison,  in  Indiana,  a  small,  not  strongly  de- 
fended fort,  and  situated  in  the  heart  of  a  country  inhabited  by  the 
Miamis,  or  Weas,  and  other  hostile  savages.  In  September  of 
that  year  a  fierce  attack  was  made  on  the  fort  by  a  large  body  of 
the  Prophet's  party.  The  principal  defences  consisted  of  an  upper 
and  lower  blockhouse,  and  a  fort  with  two  bastions  ;  but  at  this 
time  not  more  than  twenty  effective  men  could  be  mustered  in  the 
garrison,  the  rest  being  sick,  convalescent,  or  disabled,  and  of 
these,  in  the  crisis  that  tried  the  soul  of  the  commander,  two  of  the 
stoutest  jumped  the  pickets  and  deserted.  The  details  of  this  san- 
guinary assault  and  valiant  defence  are  given  in  a  subsequent 
chapter. 

The  bravery,  skill,  and  shrewdness  displayed  by  Captain  Taylor 
while  in  command  of  this  post  inspired  his  comrades  and  his 
country  with  confidence  in  his  superior  abilities  as  an  officer.    The 

2  * 


10  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

defence  he  made,  to  which  we  have  alhidcd,  under  the  trying  diffi- 
cuhics  of  fire,  a  savage  foe,  and  desertion,  was  sufficient  to  estab- 
lish his  reputation  as  an  officer  and  soldier  of  the  most  sterling 
qualities.  Major-general  Hopkins,  in  his  dispatch  to  Governor 
Shelby,  says  :  "  The  firm  and  almost  unparalleled  defence  of  Fort 
Harrison  by  Captain  Z.  Taylor  has  raised  for  him  a  fabric  of 
character  not  to  be  effaced  by  my  eulogy  1'^ 

For  Captain  Taylor's  gallantry  on  this  occasion,  President  Madi- 
son conferred  upon  him  the  rank  of  major  by  brevet,  and  this  is 
said  to  be  the  oldest  brevet  in  the  army. 

Not  long  subsequent  to  this,  Major  Taylor  went  on  an  expedi- 
tion against  the  Prophet's  town  and  the  Winnebago  town,  under 
General  Hopkins.  These,  together  with  a  Kickapoo  village  on 
Ponse  Passu  creek,  w-crc  destroyed.  Major  Taylor  was  very 
active  in  these  operations,  and  in  commending  the  officers  in  his 
dispatch,  General  Hopkins  says :  "  And  also  to  Captain  Z.  Tay- 
lor, of  the  7th  United  States  regiment,  for  a  prompt  and  efficient 
support  in  every  instance." 

After  the  close  of  the  war.  Major  Taylor  shifted  his  position,  but 
remained  in  the  west  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  for  several 
years,  removing  from  post  to  post  as  the  interest  of  the  service 
called  him.  When  the  war  in  Florida  broke  out,  he  was  called 
thither.  In  the  mean  time  he  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
colonel.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  first  brigade,  quartered  at 
Fort  Gardner,  south  of  the  Withlacochee,  when  he  proceeded 
against  the  Scminoles  and  Micasukies,  under  Alligator  and  Sam 
Jones,  and  had  the  desperate  struggle  with  these  forces  at  Okee- 
cho-bee.  The  particulars  of  this  battle  will  also  be  found  in  these 
pages. 

Colonel  Taylor  had  received  a  challenge  from  the  Seminole 
chief.  Alligator,  to  come  on,  which  the  colonel  accepted  instanter. 
The  Indians  had  selected  a  strong  position,  in  a  thick  swamp,  cov- 
ered in  front  by  a  small  stream,  whose  quicksands  rendered  it 
almost  impassable.  A  breastwork,  composed  of  the  growth  of 
a  hummock,  thickly  interwoven,  concealed  and  partly  protected  the 
Indians  in  front,  their  flanks  being  secured  by  impassable  swamps. 
Sam  Jones  and  Coa-coo-chee  were  behind  these  barriers  with 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  11 

Alligator  and  seven  hundred  of  their  tribes,  true  marksmen,  every 
man. 

Colonel  Taylor  approached  them  with  about  five  hundred  men, 
regulars  and  Missouri  volunteers,  under  Colonel  Gentry.  They 
passed  the  stream,  sinking  to  their  middle  in  mire,  mounted  the 
breastw^ork,  and  fought  hand  to  hand,  the  Indians  disputing  every 
inch  of  ground.  After  a  most  sanguinary  engagement  of  three 
hours,  the  enemy  was  driven  from  his  post,  and  Colonel  Taylor 
gained  a  most  complete  and  brilliant  victory. 

The  loss,  however,  on  both  sides  was  great.  The  gallant  Colo- 
nels Gentry  and  Thompson,  Captain  Van  Swearingen,  and  Lieu- 
tenants Carter  and  Brook,  fell  at  the  heads  of  their  command. 
During  the  whole  engagement  Colonel  Taylor  remained  on  horse- 
back, passing  from  point  to  point,  cheering  his  men  to  the  conflict, 
and  exposed  to  the  Indian  rifle  at  every  moment. 

For  this  achievement  the  president  conferred  on  Colonel  Taylor 
the  brevet  rank  of  brigadier-general. 

General  Taylor  represented  this  as  "  the  most  trying  scene  of  his 
life  ;"  but  he  was  destined  to  encounter  one  equally  hazardous  on 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  from  which  he  emerged,  if  possible,  with 
greater  honor  to  his  name. 

General  Taylor  now  established  himself  at  Fort  Basenger,  on 
the  Kissimmee.  He  had  now  been  transferred  to  the  first  infantry, 
and  it  becoming  necessary  to  establish  posts  about  Tampa  Bay 
and  along  the  eastern  coast,  Mr.  Poinsett,  then  Secretary  of  War, 
recommended  to  Major-general  Jessup  that  General  Taylor  be 
placed  in  command  of  them. 

In  the  fore  part  of  1839  Major-general  Jessup  was  ordered  to 
the  seat  of  government  to  resume  the  duties  of  Quartermaster- 
general,  and  the  command  of  the  army  in  Florida  was  given  to 
General  Taylor.  In  the  mean  time  peace  had  been  proclaimed, 
and  the  duties  of  the  commander  were  far  from  being  onerous  ; 
he  was  relieved  in  1840  by  Brigadier-general  Armistead,  after  four 
years  at  least  of  indefatigable  service  in  the  swamps  and  hummocks 
of  that  unhealthy  country. 

General  Taylor  was  next  assigned  the  command  of  the  second 
department,  which  was  in  the  year  following,  and  repaired  to  his 


12  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

head-quarters  at  Fort  Gibson,  on  the  Arkansas.  On  his  way,  he 
was  offered  a  piibhc  dinner  at  Little  Rock,  by  the  citizens  of  that 
place,  as  a  token  of  esteem  for  his  "  meritorious  services  in  Flo- 
rida," but  declined  on  account  of  haste  to  assume  command.  The 
first  department  of  the  army,  including  the  states  of  Louisiana, 
Mississippi,  &c.,  was  next  given  to  his  command,  and  he  repaired 
to  Fort  Jessup,  where  the  order  to  assume  command  of  the  "  Army 
of  Observation"  reached  him. 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  13 


CHAPTER    II. 

G«neral  Taylor  called  to  Texas. — Object  of  the  Expedition. — The  Policy. — General 
Taylor's  Position. — Innuendo  repelled — General  Taylor's  grand  Plan. — Its  consum- 
mation.— General  Survey  of  the  Ground. — Critical  Extract. 

We  have  thus  briefly  hinted  at  some  of  the  leading  events  in  the 
Hfe  of  this  accompKshed  and  successful  general,  up  to  the  period 
he  was  called  to  the  command  of  our  forces  about  to  proceed  to 
Texas,  a  more  minute  detail  of  which  appears  in  the  regular  order 
of  the  narrative.  The  object  of  this  expedition,  it  is  well  known, 
was  to  invest  that  territory  lying  between  the  Rio  Nueces  and  the 
Rio  Grande  or  Bravo  del  Norte,  a  tract  of  land  claimed  to  belong  to 
Texas,  and  by  the  articles  of  annexation  made  over  to  the  United 
Stales.  We  shall  not  make  it  our  province  to  question  the  policy 
of  taking  forcible  possession  of  a  territory  known  to  be  held  in  dis- 
pute by  two  free  and  independent  republics  ;  but  nothing  is  clearer 
than  that  the  commander  of  the  American  forces  but  complied  with 
implicit  instructions  of  the  Department,  which  were  his  guarantee 
and  justification. 

We  cannot  say  that  neutrality  would  have  been  preserved  had 
possession  not  been  taken,  and  it  would  seem  that  the  acquisition 
of  the  republic — but  in  equal  part  interested  in  the  dispute — by  a 
third  power  did  not  change  the  position  of  affairs,  or  authorize  such 
power  to  invest  the  territory.  Be  this  as  it  may,  however,  on  the 
28th  of  March,  1846,  the  United  States  army  took  up  its  quarters 
opposite  Matamoras,  and  planted  the  United  States  flag  in  the  an- 
cient department  of  Tamaulipas. 

The  position  which  General  Taylor  selected  is  adjudged  to  be 
the  most  favorable.  His  force,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  was  entirely 
inadequate  to  the  position  which  he  assumed ;  censure  cannot  find 
a  resting  place,  however,  on  the  commander-in-chief  for  this  error, 
if  so  it  was.  As  a  fearless  and  ready  soldier,  he  repaired  to  the 
place  assigned  him,  with  the  means  furnished  to  his  hands.  If 
there  was  an  error  in  judgment,  in  the  department,  it  became  too 
late  to  repair  it  by  the  commander,  if  he  felt  so  disposed,  when  his 


14  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

observation  led  liim  to  perceive  il.  It  was  also  entirely  problemati- 
cal, whether  the  Mexicans  would  take  upon  themselves  the  office 
of  ejecting  our  troops  from  the  soil  tiius  invested  ;  but,  more  than 
this,  the  probabilities  were  that  they  would  not.  These  probabih- 
lies  amounted  to  nearly  certainty,  judging  from  the  unstable  state 
of  the  government  of  that  republic,  their  civil  dissensions,  and  the 
dispersed  and  disaffected  state  of  their  troops ;  and  no  doubt  had 
their  influence  with  thc.departmenl  in  determining  the  amount  of 
force  to  be  sent. 

Still,  the  assuming  a  hostile  position — for  such  it  is  fair  to  term 
it,  since  it  was  not  proposed  to  preserve  neutrality  simply,  and  one 
portion  of  those  interested  and  engaged  in  the  dispute  of  the  soil 
were  not  only  admitted,  but  took  active  part  in  the  occupation — 
without  tiie  presence  of  a  sufficient  force  to  maintain  it  in  any  con- 
ceivable emergency,  seems  to  us  an  oversight,  to  say  the  least,  that 
might  have  resulted  in  dishonor  to  our  arms.  What  then  do  we 
owe  to  the  commander  and  those  valorous  spirits  who  fought  their 
way,  hand  to  hand,  against  an  opposing  force  double  their  number, 
through  a  dilemma  of  an  appalling  nature  in  which  they  had  been 
involved,  to  a  brilliant  and  triumphant  victory  ! 

A  writer  remarks  of  General  Taylor,  in  allusion  to  the  subject — 
"  If  he  erred  in  his  estimate  of  the  forces  which  the  Mexicans  could 
bring  to  assault  the  position  which  government  had  ordered  him  to 
take  upon  the  Rio  Bravo,  and  if,  owing  to  that  error,  he  allowed 
the  army  under  his  command  to  be  placed  in  great  peril,  as  well 
as  his  munitions,  provisions,  and. his  line  of  intercourse  with  the 
ultimate  resources  on  which  the  army  was  to  rely, — if  General 
Taylor  allowed  all  these  to  be  j)laced  in  great  peril,  it 'at  least 
afforded  him  an  opportunity  of  exercising  and  exhibiting  the  highest 
military  genius  in  extricating  himself  from  all  those  difficulties." 

The  hypothesis  conveyed  above,  as  furnishing  evidence  of  a  want 
of  foresight  in  the  American  commander,  as  well  as  ground  for  in- 
nuendo or  oblique  censure,  (we  think  unmeant,)  is  entirely  imagi- 
nary. General  Taylor  was  well  informed  as  to  the  amount  of 
Mexican  force  on  the  frontier  when  he  arrived  there,  a  large  portion 
of  which  had  previously  advanced  to  meet  him  headed  by  General 
Mejia,  the  commander  at  Matamoras ;  and  which  force  was  esti- 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  15 

mated  at  about  two  thousand  soldiers  and  five  hundred  rancheros, 
under  Mejia,  Garcia,  La  Vega,  and  Laveriego.  Upon  arriving  at 
Point  Isabel,  General  Taylor  set  about  establishing  permanent 
defences  for  the  protection  of  his  stores,  proceeded  to  the  site  Op- 
posite Matamoras,  which  he  designated  for  the  head-quarters  of 
the  army,  and  placed  nearly  two-thirds  of  his  army  at  once  in 
erecting  fortifications,  and  constructing  means  of  defence,  not  for 
present  emergency,  but  with  the  view  of  rendering  his  position 
impregnable  against  an  anticipated  force  far  more  formidable. 
The  expedition  with  which  he  prosecuted  this  labor,  the  permanent 
character  of  the  work,  at  least  the  effort  used  with  the  facilities  to 
give  it  this  character,  and  the  care  manifested  in  the  disposition  of 
the  brigades,  speak  as  to  the  presentiments  of  the  commanding 
general. 

At  length,  in  twelve  days  after  his  reaching  this  point,  the  ex- 
pected force  arrived.  General  Arista  entered  Matamoras  with  two 
hundred  cavalry,  leaving  an  army  of  from  two  to  three  thousand 
behind  him,  soon  to  arrive.  Was  General  Taylor  alarmed  ?  There 
is  no  evidence  of  it.  Did  he  call  for  volunteers  at  that  moment  ? 
By  no  means.  Could  he  have  "  erred" — quoting  from  the  above 
paragraph — "  in  his  estimate  of  the  forces  which  the  Mexicans 
could  bring  to  assavdt  his  position  ?"  It  seems  he  did  not.  He 
states  in  his  communication  of  the  15th  of  April,  that  Ampudia's 
force,  soon  expected  to  Matamoras,  was  variously  estimated  at 
from  two  to  three  thousand,  besides  the  two  hundred  cavalry  he 
had  with  him.  This  estimate,  compared  with  subsequent  accounts, 
and  the  known  number  of  Arista's  command — that  general  having 
assumed  the  place  of  Ampudia — at  Palo  Alto,  is  found  to  have 
been  nearly  correct. 

General  Taylor,  then,  was  aware  of  the  force  to  be  brought  against 
him,  and  looked  calmly  on,  because  he  felt  secure  in  his  position. 
The  following  few  lines  from  his  dispatch  to  the  department,  sets 
the  matter  on  this  point  at  rest. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  alternative  of  war  presented  by  Ampudia" — 
this  general  had,  upon  his  arrival  at  Matamoras  to  take  command, 
notified  the  American  commander  to  withdraw  within  twenty-four 
hours  with  his  forces,  and  retire  beyond  the  Nueces — "  no  hostile 


16  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

movement  lias  yet  been  made  by  his  force.  Whether  he  will  feel 
strong  enough  to  attempt  any  thing  when  all  his  force  shall  arrive, 
is  very  doubtful.  Our  brigades  occupy  strong  positions,  beyond 
reach  of  the  fire  from  town,  and  can  hold  themselves  against  many 
times  their  number  of  Mexican  troops.  In  the  inean  time  our  de- 
fences here  and  at  Point  Isabel  are  daily  gaining  strength.  The 
latter  point  is  well  supplied  with  artillery,  and  is  in  a  good  condi- 
tion to  resist  attack." 

No  alarm  is  manifested  here,  no  volunteers  are  called  for  or  aid 
demanded  ;  yet  this  is  four  days  after  the  arrival  of  Ampudia,  and 
three  subsequent  to  the  menacing  notice  of  that  general.  The 
same  dispatch,  however,  contains  the  following  :  "  I  shall  author- 
ize the  raising  of  two  companies  of  Texan  mounted  men  for  service 
in  this  quarter,  particularly  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  open  our 
communication  with  Point  Isabel,  and  relieving  the  regular  cavalry 
of  a  portion  of  their  duties,  which  are  now  oppressive." 

We  have  taken  some  pains  to  reply,  though  briefly,  to  the  con- 
structive imputation  conveyed  in  the  paragraph  we  have  quoted, 
which  represents  General  Taylor  as  having  "  allowed  the  army 
under  his  command  to  be  placed  in  great  peril,"  the  more  as  that 
article  appears  as  original  in  the  most  valuable  register  in  this 
country.  Now  take  a  broad  glance  of  all  matters  connected  with 
the  management  of  the  "  Army  of  Occupation,"  the  present  desig- 
nation, and  see  whether  a  perfect  system  for  maintaining  the  honor 
of  our  arms  is  not  manifest,  the  operations  of  which  have  led  to  the 
happiest  and  most  glorious  results.  The  commanding  general 
finds  himself  at  Corpus  Chrisli  with  two  regiments  of  infantry  and 
the  second  dragoons  ;  and  on  the  border  of  the  enemy's  country, 
with  a  force  that  cannot  be  immediately  increased.  He  hears  of 
an  opposing  force,  certainly  much  larger  than  his  own,  meditating 
an  attack.  He  surveys  his  ground,  his  resources,  his  position  with 
regard  to  his  stores,  and  the  general  alternative  to  which  he  is 
driven.  Two  points  must  be  defended.  The  probably  first  move- 
ment of  the  enemy  will  be  to  intercept  the  communication  between 
his  depot  of  stores  and  camp,  and  the  capture  of  the  first-named. 
His  works  opposite  Matamoras  arc  completed,  and  so  constructed 
that  five  hundred  men  will  maintain  them  against  the  direction  of 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  17 

even  the  whole  of  the  opposing  force.  He  can  withdraw  with  the 
balance  of  his  army,  about  two  thousand  two  hundred  men,  repair 
to  Point  Isabel,  and  maintain  that  post  against  an  attack,  or  return 
with  munitions  and  supplies,  which  were  greatly  needed  in  camp. 
A  portion  of  the  enemy's  force  must  necessarily  be  employed  in 
reducing  Fort  Brown,  while  the  balance  might  be  attacked  by 
General  Taylor  in  person,  if  concentrated  at  Point  Isabel,  or  inter- 
posed between  the  two  points. 

He  sets  out  according  to  his  plan,  leaving  Major  Brown  with  five 
or  six  hundred  men  to  defend  the  works.  He  meets  with  no  oppo- 
sition on  the  route.  As  predicted,  the  bombardment  of  the  fort 
commenced  upon  its  being  ascertained  by  the  enemy  that  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  American  force  had  left.  General  Taylor  arrives 
at  Point  Isabel,  where  he  remains  until  satisfied  that  no  attack  on 
that  post  is  meditated,  learning,  in  the  mean  time,  that  all  is  safe 
at  Fort  Brown,  then  commences  his  return  with  his  munitions  and 
stores.  He  meets  the  enemy  in  large  numbers,  fairly  engages 
with  them,  comes  out  victorious  in  two  sanguinary  battles,  drives 
him  from  the  soil  across  the  Rio  Grande,  and  his  army  receives 
their  supplies,  and  the  intercourse  with  the  depot  is  amply  secured. 

Who  can  imagine  a  more  beautiful  working  of  a  grand  system, 
a  magnificent  plan  ? — more  glorious  results,  even  with  superior  ad- 
vantages, much  less  in  an  emergency  ?  Here  was  displayed  the 
highest  military  genius,  and  the  hero  of  Palo  Alto  and  Reseca  de 
la  Palma  has  conferred  on  his  country  an  obligation  that  time 
should  scarcely  efface.  "  So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  distin- 
guish and  have  capacity  to  judge,"  says  a  writer,  speaking  of  these 
events,  and  whose  views  vary  slightly  from  our  own,  "  no  officer, 
placed  under  the  circumstances  in  which  he  found  himself,  could 
have  acted  with  more  coolness,  prudence,  or  courage  than  General 
Taylor  displayed  upon  this  occasion.  Not  so  fastidious  of  his  own 
reputation  as  to  endanger  the  safety  and  comfort  of  his  command 
for  one  moment  unnecessarily  by  concealing  the  danger  to  which 
he  found  them  exposed,  or  rashly  to  risk  the  issue  of  a  now  very 
doubtful  contest  to  those  forces  which  had  heretofore  been  consid- 
ered ample  for  the  occasion,  he  very  prudently  summoned  the 
neighboring  states  to  his  assistance,  apprizing  fully  of  the  necessity 

3 


18  LIFE    OF    pENERAL    TAYLOR. 

of  prompt  movement,  and  yet,  while  wisely  providing  for  contin- 
gencies, his  own  measures  were  taken  as  though  no  dependence 
was  to  be  placed  upon  such  assistance  arriving  in  time,  as  in  fact 
it  did  not,  to  save  him  from  having  so  large  odds  to  contend  with. 
If  there  be  one  plume  which  General  Taylor  has  won  in  this  affair 
which  is  entitled  to  more  commendation  than  all  others,  it  was  this 
proof  of  the  highest  qualifications  for  a  commander,  to  which  we 
have  just  alluded. 

"  It  is  gratifying,  however,  to  him  and  his  countrymen  that  his 
own  resources  were  found  sufficient  for  the  occasion.  To  him  it 
must  be  gratifying,  because,  if  honors  were  to  be  won,  '  the  Army 
of  Occupation,'  men  and  officers,  were  fairly  entitled  to  the  honor 
of  winning  and  wearing  them  ;  and  it  is  truly  gratifying  to  his 
countrymen  to  observe  and  acknowledge  how  gallantly  they  have 
won,  and  how  gracefully  they  wear  those  honors." 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  19 


CHAPTER    III. 

General  Taylor  continued. — Critical  examination  of  the  Battles  of  the  8th  and  9th 
May. — The  Light  Artillery  Arm. — Investigation  of  the  Causes  of  these  Victories. — 
Demonstrations  of  Approbation. — President  confers  a  Brevet. — Resolutions  and 
Sword  of  Louisiana  and  Tennessee. — Thanks  of  Congress. — General  Taylor's 
Talents  as  a  Military  Man  and  General. — Qualities  of  Heart. — Personal  Ap- 
pearance.— Rough  and  Ready. — His  Dress. — Characteristic  Anecdote. — Political 
Opinions. — Habits,  etc. 

The  details  of  llie  battles  on  tiie  Rio  Grande  will  be  found  in 
another  place,  and  we  had  intended  the  reader  of  this  edition  should 
be  left  to  analyze  them,  and  form  his  own  opinion  as  to  the  magni- 
tude of  the  victories.  But  finding  a  critical  examination  at  hand, 
and  so  exactly  suited  to  our  mind,  we  cannot  refrain  from  giving  it 
almost  entire  in  these  pages;  the  more  especially  as  from  its  appear- 
ing originally  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  newspaper,  we  should 
presume  it  penned  by  Colonel  Webb  himself,  which  places  its  au- 
thority and  value  beyond  question.  It  assumes  the  stand  that  these 
victories  are  unparalleled,  and  that  record  furnishes  no  instances  of 
such  glorious  achievements  under  similar  circumstances.  We  have 
never  seen  the  critical  examination  to  which  the  writer  alludes. 

The  writer  of  this  paper,  after  quoting  the  concluding  portions 
of  General  Taylor's  reports  of  the  two  battles,  wherein  the  general 
states  the  amount  of  his  own  and  the  enemy's  force  and  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded,  says  : 

"  We  have  made  the  above  extracts,  with  a  view  of  examining 
somewhat  more  critically,  the  gallant  affairs  of  the  8th  and  9th  of 
May,  to  demonstrate  the  leading  cause  of  those  extraordinary  victo- 
ries, and  to  sustain  the  position  we  assumed  immediately  after  the 
receipt  of  the  intelligence  of  these  battles,  that  they  were  the  most 
gallant  affairs  on  record,  and  that  in  modern  times,  never  had  such 
victories  been  obtained  by  any  army  opposed  to  such  fearful  odds — 
both  armies  consisting  of  disciplined  troops  !  We  did  not  put  forth 
this  declaration  without  reflection  ;  it  has  frequently  been  the  sub 
ject  of  discussion  ;  it  has  drawn  forth  criticism  and  a  critical  exam 


30  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

ination ;  and  \vc  still  contend  that  it  is  not  only  strictly  accurate, 
but  that  even  those  most  disposed  to  underrate  the  services  of  our 
little  army,  cannot  gainsay  it. 

"  General  Taylor,  in  his  peculiarly  modest  manner,  says — *  It  is 
probable  six  thousand  men  were  opposed  to  us,  [1700,]  and  in  a 
position  selected  by  themselves,  and  strongly  defended  witii  artil- 
ler}'.'  The  whole  tenor  of  the  general's  dispatches,  proves  an 
anxious  desire  not  to  overrate  the  numbers  opposed  to  him  or  the 
character  of  his  victories ;  and  the  concurrent  testimony  of  the 
officers  of  both  armies,  leaves  no  question  that  on  the  9th  of  May, 
the  enemy  had  actually  engaged,  upwards  of  seven  thousand  troops, 
or  more  than  four  times  the  number  opposed  to  them  ;  and  it  is 
equally  certain,  that  their  loss  greatly  exceeded  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing,  one  thousand.  General  Taylor  accounts  for  four 
hundred  buried  by  our  troops  in  the  two  actions  ;  and  Colonel 
Twiggs,  in  a  letter  now  before  us,  says,  *  we  fmd  in  the  hospitals 
at  Matamoras  three  hundred  and  eighty-two  wounded  soldiers  and 
several  officers,  and  very  many  wounded  accompanied  the  retreat- 
ing army.'  This,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  was  on  the  18th  of 
May — nine  days  after  the  battle ;  and  an  officer  writes  that  the 
number  buried  at  Matamoras  between  the  9th  and  18th  must  have 
been  several  hundred.  Our  conviction  is,  that  in  the  two  engage- 
ments the  enemy's  loss  was  nearer  two  than  one  thousand  ;  and  this 
fact  is  very  material,  as  demonstrating  the  character  of  the  ^Mexican 
troops,  and  proving  that  an  army  seldom  fought  better.  They  did 
not  retreat  on  the  night  of  the  Slh,  nor  even  on  the  9th,  until  at 
least  one-seventh  of  their  whole  army  had  been  either  killed  or 
wounded  ;  or,  in  other  words,  until  our  army  had  rendered  hors  du 
combat  a  number  exceeding  one-half  of  our  whole  army. 

"  These  facts  prove  that  the  Mexicans  fought  bravely.  It  is  ad- 
mitted on  all  hands,  that  they  were  admirably  disciplined,  the  flower 
of  the  Mexican  army — and  composed  of  officers  aiid  men  who  had 
been  engaged  in  battle  after  battle,  and  had  nobly  earned  for  them- 
selves the  title  of  veterans.  This  army,  commanded,  as  has  been 
said,  by  one  of  the  most  gallant  and  accomplished  artillery  officers 
of  the  age,  (Arista,)  selected  its  position,  and  arranged  at  leisure  its 
line  of  defence,  composed  of  three  batteries  of  artillery  supported 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  21 

by  five  thousand  infantry  and  two  thousand  cavalry — whose  boast 
is,  that  they  are  the  best  cavahy  in  the  world ;  and  that  they  are 
brave,  daring,  and  the  best  horsemen  on  the  continent,  is  fully  ad- 
mitted. Thus  posted,  this  army  is  assailed  by  the  American  army 
only  one-fourth  as  strong.  General  Taylor  reports  that  its  artillery, 
with  the  exception  of  Ringgold's  and  Duncan's  eight  pieces  of  light 
artillery,  was  parked  with  his  immense  baggage  train  and  provi- 
sions a  great  distance  in  the  rear,  and  was  only  employed  in  pur- 
suing the  enemy  after  he  had  been  completely  routed.  Thus  then, 
the  naked  fact  is  presented  to  the  consideration  of  the  country,  that 
our  army  attacked  the  Mexicans  '  strongly  posted  in  a  position 
selected  by  themselves.'  The  forces  thus  posted  and  assailed, 
were  composed  of  veterans,  disciplined  troops,  jTowr  times  as  numer- 
ous as  their  assailants,  with  a  heavier  train  of  artillery,  and  nearly 
five  times  as  many  cavalry  !  They  fought  bravely  for  three  hours  ; 
lost  one-seventh  of  their  whole  number ;  and  then  were  literally  dis- 
persed by  the  bayonets  of  our  troops — throwing  their  muskets  at 
our  men  in  the  spirit  of  desperation,  and  swearing  that  they  were 
devils  incarnate  ! 

"  Such  was  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  such,  too,  was 
that  of  Palo  Alto  on  the  day  preceding  it.  To  judge  of  this  achieve- 
ment and  compare  it  with  European  battles,  we  need  only  ask  our- 
selves, on  what  occasion  have  eighty  thousand  disciplined  troops 
strongly  posted,  in  position  selected  by  themselves,  been  driven 
from  that  position,  routed  and  cut  to  pieces,  by  twenty  thousand  ? 
When  and  where,  did  any  army  thus  conquer,  rout  and  completely 
disperse,  four  times  its  nuinher  of  brave  and  disciplined  troops, 
who  fought  in  a  manner  which,  under  ordinary  circumstances,  enti- 
tled them  to  victory  ?  When  such  affairs  can  be  found  in  modern 
history,  we  will  yield  to  them  the  palm.  But  we  know  that  there 
are  no  such  battles  on  record  ;  and  we  desire  to  impress  upon  our 
countrymen,  that  our  little  army  under  General  Taylor  has  achieved 
for  itself  a  reputation,  such  as  no  other  army  has  ever  won  in  mod- 
ern times,  and  the  scene  of  which  will  hereafter  be  referred  to  as 
another  Thermopylae." 

The  writer  goes  on  further  to  state  the  causes  which  produced 
these  victories,  and  the  position  which  he  has  taken  seems  to  be 


22  LIFE    OF    GLNEllAL    TAVLOU. 

fully  sustained.  For  our  own  part,  we  feel  inclined  to  add  our 
opinion  tiiat  to  one  particular  arm  of  the  service  may  be  attributed 
a  large  share  of  the  execution  that  crowned  the  result  of  those  me- 
morable days  w^ilh  success.  The  splendid  corps  of  light  artillery, 
directed  by  their  fearless  and  disciplinarian  commanders,  dealt  death 
among  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  with  a  double  hand.  Their  expe- 
ditious advances,  their  strategic  manoeuvres,  their  unlimbcring  with 
the  speed  of  lightning,  and  the  deadly  aim  of  their  ordnance,  spread 
confusion,  terror,  and  destruction  through  dense  columns  to  which 
their  operations  were  directed.  There  was  no  evasion  of  this  ter- 
rible arm  except  in  flight ;  no  approach  to  its  batteries  but  with 
immense  loss. 

The  writer  goes  on  :  — 

"  Now  a  few  words  as  to  the  causes  which  produced  these  two 
victories.  We  said  on  the  12lhof  May,  when  apprehensions  were 
very  general  for  the  fate  of  our  army,  w^e  felt  very  certain,  that  be- 
fore that  day.  General  Taylor  had  met  and  dispersed  the  entire 
force  of  the  enemy,  if  it  ivas  not  more  than  four  tiines  as  great  as 
his  own  !  We  said  that  this  opinion  was  based  upon  a  knowledge, 
that  no  disciplined  troops  ever  yet  abandoned  their  officers ;  that 
we  knew  our  old  comrades  well,  knew  of  what  material  they  were 
composed — what  West  Point  had  made  them — and  that  they  would 
never  yield  or  retreat.  We  knew  that  every  officer  in  that  little 
army,  was  prepared  for  victory  or  death  ;  and  that  such  being  the 
case,  and  knowing  their  men  were  disciplined  and  would  certainly 
stand  by  them,  we  felt  that  victory  was  inevitable,  unless  the  op- 
posing force  was  so  great  as  to  forbid  its  possibility  ;  in  which  case 
our  whole  army  would  be  cut  to  pieces — selling  their  lives  dearly, 
but  never  yielding.  And  such,  too,  would  have  been  their  conduct, 
and  such  the  result  of  this  affair,  if  the  opposing  force  had  been 
English  instead  of  Mexican. 

"  To  this  gallantr}'  and  determination  on  the  part  of  our  officers, 
we  are  indebted  for  the  glorious  achievements  of  the  8th  and  9lh 
of  May ;  and  an  examination  into  the  killed  ami  wounded,  very 
certainly  demonstrates  this  fact.  When  in  order  of  battle,  the  offi 
cers  are  always  posted  with  a  view  to  their  greater  security,  as  they 
are  required  to  conduct  the  battle.     Thus  the  company  officers  are 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  23 

immediately  in  the  rear  of  their  men  in  hne  of  battle,  and  the  field 
and  staff,  still  further  in  the  rear ;  and  it  is  admitted  to  be  a  sound 
calculation,  that  when  the  proportion  of  officers  to  the  rank  and  file 
is  as  one  to  twenty,  the  proportion  of  killed  and  wounded  should 
be  one  officer  to  every  forty  of  the  rank  and  file,  owing  to  the 
greater  security  of  their  position,  intended  to  preserve  their  lives. 
Now  let  us  apply  this  calculation  to  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 

"  In  that  ever  memorable  affair,  the  proportion  of  officers  to  the 
rank  and  file,  was  as  one  to  thirteen ;  and  therefore,  according  to 
European  calculation,  the  proportion  of  killed  and  wounded,  should 
have  been  one  to  twenty-six.  Now  what  are  the  facts  ?  The  total 
of  killed  and  wounded  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-two,  of  whom 
fifteen  were  commissioned  officers,  or  one  out  of  every  eight ! 

"  Here,  in  a  few  words,  the  country  has  the  means  of  determin- 
ing how  it  was  that  seventeen  hundred  American  troops  drove 
from  their  selected  position,  defeated  and  utterly  routed,  four  times 
their  number  of  disciplined  Mexican  cavalry,  artillery,  and  infan- 
try ! — Here  is  the  true  cause  of  the  victories  of  the  8th  and  9th  of 
May,  being  the  most  wonderful  in  the  history  of  modern  warfare. 
Our  officers  fought  in  front  of  their  men.  They  literally  led  them 
to  the  cannon's  mouth  ;  and  as  the  history  of  these  battles  proves, 
when  their  swords  were  useless,  threw  them  away,  picked  up  the 
muskets  and  accoutrements  of  those  who  had  fallen,  and  with  these, 
set  their  men  an  example  of  coolness  and  daring  which  made  every, 
private  in  the  little  army  feel  himself  a  hero.  When  officers  thus 
lead  their  men  up  to  the  very  mouths  of  the  enemy's  cannon  ;  when 
sword  in  hand,  or  with  the  bayonet,  they  drive  the  enemy  from 
their  guns,  and  then  themselves  perform  the  work  of  gunners ; 
when  for  hours,  as  was  the  case  in  our  flying  artillery,  the  officers 
helped  work  the  guns,  and  in  some  cases  did  the  duty  of  three  pri- 
vates— victory  is  certain — inevitable.  Such  was  the  character  of 
the  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May — such  the  manner  in  which 
they  were  won — and  such  the  conduct  of  our  officers.  Under  such 
circumstances,  our  whole  army  might  have  been  destroyed  ;  but  if 
not,  then  was  victory  absolutely  certain.  We  care  not  how  exalted 
the  character  of  the  troops  opposed  to  them,  or  to  what  nation  they 
belonged,  in  this,  their  first  fight  after  years  of  peace  and  the  taunts 


24  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

of  members  of  Congress,  it  was  morally  and  physically  impossible 
to  resist  them.  Honor — unfading  and  perpetual  honor — to  General 
Taylor,  the  gallant  olRccrs  who  so  nobly  sustained  him,  and  to  the 
army  of  heroes  they  led  to  victory  on  the  8tii  and  9th  of  May,  1846  ; 
and  most  fortunate  for  them  and  for  the  country  was  it,  that  we 
had  no  undisciplined  volunteers  or  militia  in  those  battles.  We 
doubt  not  their  courage  ;  but  no  undisciplined  troops  could  have 
fought  those  fights.  It  would  have  been  morally  impossible  for 
any  such  to  have  withstood  the  fire  of  the  enemy  on  those  days  and 
do  what  was  required  of  our  soldiers  and  officers  ;  and  had  there 
been  any  faltering — had  a  single  battalion  given  way,  as  they  most 
assuredly  would — the  enemy  would  have  been  encouraged  to  per- 
severe, and  our  whole  army  might  have  been  annihilated  and  cut 
to  pieces.  Never  was  the  value  of  disciplined  men  more  triumph- 
antly demonstrated  than  on  these  glorious  occasions  ;  and  since  we 
have  learned  that  General  Taylor  compels  the  volunteers  with  him 
to  receive  six  hours'  drilling  per  day,  and  reheves  them  from  all 
other  duties  to  make  soldiers  of  them,  we  venture  to  predict  that 
they  too,  when  they  meet  the  enemy,  will  add  to  the  reputation  of 
our  arms.  '  Rough  and  Ready'  will  first  make  them  soldiers,  and 
then  win  victories  with  them." 

The  London  Herald  remarks  :  "  The  proceedings  of  the  soldiers 
under  General  Taylor  have  been  such  as  to  do  honor  to  the  Re- 
public. The  little  army  amounting  to  but  a  handful  of  men,  at  a 
distance  of  thousands  of  miles  from  any  available  succor,  has  de- 
fended itself  against  superior  numbers,  and  at  length  has  crossed 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  took  possession  of  Matamoras,  almost  in  sight 
of  an  opposing  enemy — an  exploit  which  Napoleon  has  pronounced 
to  be  the  perfection  of  generalship.^^ 

There  seems  to  be  some  discrepancy  in  the  estimates  of  the 
enemy's  force,  which  is  not  satisfied  by  the  accounts  given  by  the 
enemy  himself.  The  number  of  his  force  is  generally  set  down  at 
six  thousand  or  thereabouts. 

We  shall  now  proceed  to  notice  some  of  the  demonstrations  of 
his  countrymen  towards  General  Taylor  for  his  achievements  on 
the  Rio  Grande,  his  character  as  a  man  and  a  soldier,  his  talents, 
politics,  personal  appearance,  etc. 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  25 

Upon  the  receipt  of  the  communication  of  General  Taylor,  giving 
a  report  of  the  engagements  on  the  Bravo  del  Norte  on  the  8th  and 
9th  of  May,  the  President,  in  a  letter  from  his  own  hand  to  General 
Taylor,  commends  the  gallantry  of  those  concerned,  and  transmits 
a  brevet  of  Major-General  to  the  commander  himself,  which  com- 
pliment and  appointment  were  sanctioned  by  the  senate. 

The  legislature  of  Louisiana,  then  in  session,  promptly,  and  by 
acclamation,  adopted  a  set  of  resolutions  expressing  thanks  to  Gen- 
eral Taylor  and  the  officers  under  his  command  for  the  gallantry 
displayed  by  them  on  those  occasions  ;  and  also  passed  an  act  in- 
stanter  appropriating  a  sword  to  the  commanding  general,  and  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  their  own  body  to  repair  to  the  seat  of  war 
and  present  them  to  the  hero,  an  honor  never  before  conferred  on 
an  American  general,  that  we  are  aware.  The  legislature  of  Ten- 
nessee did  the  same.  Mr.  Zacharie,  chairman  of  the  committee, 
in  presenting  the  resolutions  and  thanks  of  the  legislature  of 
Louisiana,  said  :  "  My  own  heart  and  the  heart  of  every  Louisia- 
nian,  approves  of  the  beautiful  sentiments  of  these  resolutions.  In 
behalf  of  the  state  of  Louisiana,  I  thank  you  and  your  brave  army 
for  the  additional  lustre  which  these  glorious  victories  have  shed 
upon  American  arms." 

General  Taylor,  after  paying  a  high  compliment  to  Louisiana 
and  to  the  chivalry  of  her  sons,  concludes  thus : 

*'  The  generous  and  timely  action  of  the  legislature  of  Louisiana 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  us ;  its  name  will  be  embalmed  in  our 
hearts  as  a  cherished  memorial.  We  feel  that  wre  have  only  done 
our  duly ;  yet  we  cannot  but  feel  highly  gratified  to  have  gained 
the  approbation  of  our  fellow-citizens.  Together  with  the  love  of 
our  country,  which  is  common  to  us  all,  it  is  that  approbation  which 
cheers  and  animates  the  soldier  in  the  hour  of  battle.  I  therefore, 
in  the  name  of  my  officers  and  men,  thank  you  and  the  patriotic 
state  which  you  represent  for  the  honor  conferred  on  us." 

Congress  also,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  returned  thanks  to  the  army 
for  its  gallant  achievements  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  country, 
through  all  its  avenues  of  expression,  burst  forth  in  one  spontaneous 
demonstration  of  approbation  and  praise. 

The  admiration  for  the  hero  of  these  battles  vi^as  so  strong  and  so 

4 


26  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

deep,  that  not  only  politicians,  but  the  people  in  various  parts  of 
our  union  directed  their  eyes  towards  him  at  once  as  a  man  suita- 
ble to  be  chosen  to  the  Presidency  at  the  next  election,  in  1848; 
and  with  this  view,  meetings  were  called,  some  of  which  put  him 
in  nomination  for  that  high  ofTice,  and  others  making  an  expression 
in  his  favor  that  cannot  be  mistaken. 

At  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  a  meeting  was  called  and  resolutions 
passed.  A  popular  sj)caker  referred  to  the  qualifications  of  Gen- 
eral Taylor,  as  a  general  and  a  statesman,  and  his  title  to  the  grati- 
tude and  aficction  of  the  American  people,  above  any  other  man  ; 
to  his  promptness  and  energy,  as  evidenced  in  his  dispatches,  and 
his  whole  conduct  as  a  devoted  patriot  and  a  brave  soldier. 

A  meeting  was  also  held  in  New  York  city,  which  complimented 
him  highly  on  his  military  genius,  and  his  achievements  on  the 
Rio  Grande. 

General  Taylor  possesses  a  high  order  of  talents — a  brilliant 
intellect,  and  wields  a  pen  as  he  does  his  sword,  to  the  honor 
of  his  nation.  His  letters  are  admirable  specimens  of  composi- 
tion, lucid  and  eloquent.  "  The  unassuming  yet  self-possessed 
cool  man  of  superior  judgment,  may  be  easily  distinguished  in  his 
dispatches."  His  modesty  in  detailing  the  events  of  his  battles 
amounts  nearly  to  a  fault,  and  he  is  entirely  free  of  that  hyper- 
bole, which  we  acknowledge  is  too  often  characteristic  of  military 
commanders.  His  language  is  chaste,  his  words  well  chosen,  and 
the  general  tone  of  his  communications  evinces  a  mind  well  culti- 
vated and  informed,  and  an  education  unneglected. 

The  London  Times,  the  most  powerful  newspaper,  as  well  as  the 
most  rabid  in  its  prejudices  against  America  and  every  thing  Ameri 
can,  of  any  in  Great  Britain,  speaks  thus  of  Gen.Taylor's  dispatches: 

"  The  dispatches  of  General  Taylor  are  remarkable  for  their  suc- 
cinct energy,  and  the  absence  of  those  verbose  and  grandiloquent 
strains  which  we  are  accustomed  to  meet  with  in  narratives  of 
American  exploits.  He  writes  like  a  man  of  sense,  skill,  and  cour- 
age ;  and  we  have  not  the  slightest  wish  to  detract  from  the  honors 
he  has  gallantly  earned  under  the  flag  of  his  country." 

The  same  paper  says  of  the  behavior  of  General  Taylor  and  his 
troops : 


LIFE    OP    GEJNERAL    TAYLOR.  27 

"  Whatever  opinion  we  may  entertain  of  the  causes  of  this  war, 
and  the  poUtical  motives  in  which  it  originated,  the  behavior  of  the 
American  general  and  his  troops  deserves  to  be  judged  of  by  a 
much  higher  standard  than  the  pohcy  of  the  government  which  it 
is  their  duty  to  serve." 

His  quahlies  of  heart  are  such  as  do  honor  to  mankind,  and 
admirably  fit  him  for  the  high  station  he  holds,  by  elevating  him  in 
the  affections  of  his  comrades.  Frank,  affable,  generous,  feeling 
for  the  misfortunes  or  sufferings  of  his  command,  and  making  the 
alleviation  of  their  distresses  his  first  duty  after  conquering  the  foe, 
he  is  looked  upon  and  regarded  as  a  friend  by  his  people,  who 
would  follow  him  to  the  very  muzzle  of  an  enemy's  guns. 

As  a  general  he  is  one  of  the  best  disciplinarians  our  army  can 
boast.  He  is  an  experienced  and  tried  soldier,  elevated  from  one 
grade  to  another,  almost  in  every  instance  for  "  meritorious  ser- 
vices," and  not  by  the  adventitious  aid  of  friends,  or  distinction  of 
birth,  to  the  rank  of  major-general.  In  his  operations  on  the 
battle-field,  he  is  wise,  shrewd,  and  cautious ;  deep,  though  clear- 
headed, in  his  plans,  and  when  he  strikes  he  strikes  hard.  A  man 
of  fearless  courage,  he  takes  the  most  active  part  in  his  engage- 
ments, and  never  urges  his  men  where  he  would  not  go  himself. 
"  Boys,"  said  he,  coolly  riding  into  the  hollow  square  into  which 
the  infantry  was  thrown  during  the  battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma, 
m  order  to  receive  the  charge  of  the  Mexican  cavalry,  "  Boys,  I 
will  place  myself  in  your  square,''^  and  there  witnessed  the  assault 
and  repulse  as  if  the  regiment  was  merely  manoeuvring  on  parade. 

He  is  a  man  of  an  iron  constitution,  and  during  his  campaign  in 
Florida  acquired  the  appellation  of  "  Rough  and  Ready, ^^  by  which 
he  is  now  sometimes  designated.  In  person  he  is  about  five  feet 
eight  inches  in  height,  square  and  broad  across  his  shoulders,  mus- 
cular in  his  frame,  full  chest,  and  somewhat  inclined  to  stockiness. 
His  face  is  full  and  round,  with  high  cheek  bones,  browned  much 
by  the  tropical  suns.  His  eyes  are  of  a  sloe  blackness,  quick  and 
piercing  ;  and  his  hair  and  brows  thick  and  heavy,  and  also  jetty 
black. 

He  is  perfectly  republican  in  his  habits,  associations,  and  dress, 
but  gentlemanly  in  his  demeanor,  and  understands  well  what  be- 


28  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

longs  to  liis  rank  while  on  duly.  He  lias  that  industrious  turn, 
that  spirit  of  activity  and  restlessness,  which  leads  him  to  neglect 
or  overlook  his  apparel,  and  were  he  not  in  his  uniform,  it  would 
be  a  difficult  matter  at  times  to  recognise  him  as  a  commanding 
general. 

A  gentleman,  now  in  this  vicinity,  and  formerly  an  officer  in  the 
army,  and  attached  to  Col.  Taylor's  regiment,  and  therefore  per- 
fectly well  acquainted  with  him,  had  occasion  to  stop  at  Fort  Jesup 
in  Louisiana,  some  years  ago,  while  Col.  T.  was  stationed  at  that 
post.  Col.  T.  was  absent  when  he  arrived,  at  a  court-martial  one 
hundred  miles  distant,  on  the  Arkansas.  Mr.  K.  was  walking  out 
one  morning  in  the  direction  of  Red  River,  which  runs  not  far  dis- 
tant from  Fort  Jesup,  and  on  descending  a  slight  declivity,  he  saw 
ahead  of  him  a  good  sized,  very  dark  man,  jogging  along  on  a  dimin- 
utive jackass.  The  man  was  dressed  in  a  very  coarse  black  bom- 
bazine frock-coat,  drab  breeches,  with  the  bottoms  put  under  the 
long  tops  of  his  boots,  black  cravat  tied  loosely  about  his  neck,  on 
his  head  a  coarse  straw-hat,  whose  broad  rim  flapped  up  and  down 
over  his  face  as  the  motion  of  the  animal  stirred  it,  disclosing  ever 
and  anon  a  pair  of  lustrous  black  eyes,  and  his  hair  streaming  in 
the  breeze.  The  sides  of  the  jackass  were  gored  deeply  by  the 
action  of  the  huge  Spanish  spurs,  which  the  rider  had  upon  his 
heels,  and  both  rider  and  animal  were  covered  with  mud  and  dust, 
and  withal  looked  much  jaded.  The  rider  was  Colonel  Taylor. 
He  had  rode  across  the  country  one  hundred  miles  with  the  utmost 
speed  to  join  his  post.  Our  informant  passed  the  "  time  of  day" 
with  him,  but  did  not  recognise  him  ;  and  on  his  return  to  post 
they  laughed  heartily  over  the  circumstance. 

Though  possessing  perhaps  more  vigor  of  mind,  as  a  soldier  and 
civilian  General  Taylor  has  much  that  cast  possessed  by  the  la- 
mented General  Harrison. 

General  Taylor,  though  arrived  at  high  station,  still  possesses  his 
republican  simplicity  and  homeliness  in  camp,  living,  and  attire. 
A  writer  from  Brazos  de  Santiago,  speaking  of  a  visit  to  the  Gen- 
eral's camp,  says  :  "  He  was  introduced  to  a  very  plain,  shabbily 
dressed  old  gentleman,  of  rather  small  stature,  about  sixty  years 
of  age  ;  and  who  looked,  by  his  hardy  appearance,  as  if  he  had 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  29 

been  encamping  out  all  his  life.  This  was  the  commander-in-chief 
of  the  army  of  occupation.  He  has  been  thirty-eight  years  in 
service  on  the  frontiers  of  our  country.  One  of  his  officers  re- 
marked, that  '  old  as  he  is,  he  bears  the  fatigues  and  privations  of 
the  campaign  better  than  any  one  under  him.'  He  was  affable, 
dignified,  and  in  excellent  spirits.  His  tent  was  no  larger  and  no 
better  than  those  of  the  other  officers,  and  his  table  was  his  camp- 
chest,  in  which  he  carried  his  cooking  utensils,  &c.  His  plates 
were  tin  pans,  and  his  cups  tin  pannikins.  A  small  supply  of 
brown  sugar  was  kept  in  a  cannister,  and  not  a  piece  of  crockery 
was  to  be  seen.  A  party  of  six  was  thus  entertained  in  homely 
style,  and  they  all  seemed  to  enjoy  it  abundantly." 

The  above  sketch  is  no  doubt  over-wrought,  and  contains  one  or 
two  errors,  particularly  with  regard  to  his  stature  and  his  dress. 
His  dress  is  always  plain,  especially  when  in  the  field  and  in  active 
service,  but  never  shabby.  His  simplicity  of  habit  is,  however, 
proverbial,  and  is  no  discredit  to  his  good  sense. 

General  Taylor,  in  politics,  is  a  Whig,  and  was  strongly  opposed 
to  the  annexation  of  Texas.  In  conversation  he  is  perfectly  free 
and  unreserved  with  his  companions  in  arms,  to  the  lowest  grade 
of  rank.  His  officers  have  no  delicacy  in  riding  up  to  his  camp,  at 
any  time,  and  hailing  him  in  the  most  familiar  but  respectful  man- 
ner. They  are  always  sure  of  a  hearty  welcome,  and  an  invitation 
to  alight  and  partake  of  his  hospitalities.  It  has  been  said  that  he 
is  habitually  taciturn  on  the  subject  of  his  plans.  This  is  a  mis- 
take. He  converses  openly  with  his  officers  on  all  occasions  in 
regard  to  his  plan  of  operations,  and  consults  them  often  on  impor- 
tant movements. 

He  is  temperate  in  his  habits,  but  can  join  a  friend  in  a  glass 
of  wine  with  a  rational  gusto.  He  is  industrious  and  assiduous  in 
his  vocation  and  duties,  always  attending  to  business  before  pleas- 
ure. He  pays  no  regard  to  the  pomp  of  war,  and  does  not  even 
avail  himself  of  a  marquee,  which  his  rank  entitles  him  to ;  and 
while  at  Corpus  Christi  had  no  guard  about  his  lent.  He  seldom 
appeared  in  uniform  except  in  review,  but  wore  a  plain  blue  frocky 
jean  pantaloons,  and  black  cravat  tied  loosely  about  his  neck. 


30  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Captain  Taylor  in  1812. — His  gallant  defence  of  Fort  Harrison. — His  attempt  to 
send  dispatches  to  Governor  Harrison. — Colonel  Russcl  with  his  rangers. 

In  the  fall  of  1812,  Captain  Taylor  had  command  of  Fort  Har- 
rison. On  the  3d  of  September  a  furious  attack  was  made  on  this 
post  by  a  large  body  of  Indians,  in  the  night-lime,  but  the  design 
of  the  savages  was  completely  baffled  by  a  handful  of  men  under 
Captain  T.,  through  great  courage  and  prudence.  This  attack  and 
repulse  is  thus  described  by  Captain  Taylor  himself  in  a  letter  to 
Governor  Harrison. 

"  On  Thursday  evening,  the  3d  instant,  after  retreat  beating, 
four  guns  were  heard  to  fire  in  the  direction  where  two  young  men 
(citizens  who  resided  here)  were  making  hay,  about  four  hundred 
yards  distant  from  the  fort.  I  was  immediately  impressed  with  the 
idea  that  they  were  killed  by  the  Indians,  as  the  Miamis  or  Weas 
had  that  day  informed  me  that  the  Prophet's  party  would  soon  be  here 
for  the  purpose  of  commencing  hostilities  ;  and  that  they  had  been 
directed  to  leave  this  place,  which  we  were  about  to  do.  I  did  not 
think  it  prudent  to  send  out  at  that  late  hour  of  the  night  to  see 
what  had  become  of  them  ;  and  their  not  coming  in  convinced  me 
that  I  was  right  in  my  conjecture.  I  waited  until  eight  o'clock 
next  morning,  when  I  sent  out  a  corporal  with  a  small  parly  to  find 
them,  if  it  could  be  done  without  running  too  much  risk  of  beincr 
drawn  into  an  ambuscade.  He  soon  sent  back  to  inform  me  that 
he  had  found  them  both  killed,  and  wished  to  know  my  further  or- 
ders ;  I  sent  the  cart  and  oxen,  had  them  brouglil  in  and  buried  ; 
they  had  been  shot  with  two  balls,  scalped,  and  cut  in  a  most 
shocking  manner.  Late  in  the  evening  of  the  4lh  instant,  old  Jo- 
seph Lenar  and  between  thirty  and  forty  Indians  arrived  from  the 
Prophet's  town  with  a  white  flag ;  among  whom  were  about  ten 
women,  and  the  men  were  composed  of  chiefs  of  the  different 
tribes  that  compose  the  Prophet's  party.  A  Shawance  man  that 
spoke  good  English,  informed  me  that  old  Lenar  intended  to  speak 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  '  31 

to  me  next  morning  and  try  and  get  something  to  eat.  At  retreat 
beating  I  examined  the  men's  arms  and  found  them  all  in  good  or- 
der, and  completed  their  cartridges  to  sixteen  rounds  per  man.  As 
I  had  not  been  able  to  mount  a  guard  of  more  than  six  privates  and 
two  non-commissioned  officers  for  some  time  past,  and  sometimes 
part  of  them  every  other  day,  from  the  unheallhiness  of  the  com- 
pany ;  I  had  not  conceived  my  force  adequate  to  the  defence  of 
this  post,  should  it  be  vigorously  attacked,  for  some  time  past. 

"  As  I  had  just  recovered  from  a  very  severe  attack  of  fever,  I  was 
not  able  to  be  up  much  through  the  night.  After  tattoo,  I  cautioned 
the  guard  to  be  vigilant,  and  ordered  one  of  the  non-commissioned 
officers,  as  the  sentinels  could  not  see  every  part  of  the  garrison,  to 
walk  round  on  the  inner  side  during  the  whole  night,  to  prevent  the 
Indians  taking  any  advantage  of  us,  providing  they  had  any  inten- 
tion of  attacking  us.  About  eleven  o'clock  I  was  awakened  by 
the  firing  of  one  of  the  sentinels.  I  sprang  up,  ran  out,  and  or- 
dered the  men  to  their  posts  ;  when  my  orderly-sergeant  (who  had 
charge  of  the  upper  block-house)  called  out  that  the  Indians  had 
fired  the  lower  block-house,  (which  contained  the  property  of  the 
contractor,  which  was  deposited  in  the  lower  part,  the  upper  having 
been  assigned  to  a  corporal  and  two  privates  as  an  alarm-post.) 
The  guns  had  begun  to  fire  pretty  smartly  from  both  sides.  I  di- 
rected the  buckets  to  be  got  ready,  and  water  brought  from  the 
well,  and  the  fire  extinguished  immediately,  as  it  was  perceivable 
at  that  time  ;  but  from  debility  or  other  cause  the  men  were  very 
slow  in  executing  my  orders.  The  word  'fire'  appeared  to  throw 
the  whole  of  them  into  confusion  ;  and  by  the  time  they  had  got 
the  water,  and  broken  open  the  door,  the  fire  had  unfortunately 
communicated  to  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  (the  stock  having  licked 
several  holes  through  the  lower  part  of  the  buildings,  after  the  salt 
that  was  stored  there,  through  which  they  had  introduced  the 
fire  without  being  discovered,  as  the  night  was  very  dark,)  and  in 
spite  of  every  exertion  we  could  make  use  of,  in  less  than  a  mo- 
ment it  ascended  to  the  roof  and  baffled  every  effort  we  could  make 
to  extinguish  it.  As  that  block-house  adjoined  the  barracks  that 
make  part  of  the  fortifications,  most  of  the  men  immediately  gave 
themselves  up  for  lost,  and  I  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  getting 


32  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

my  orders  executed  ;  and,  sir,  what  from  tlie  raging  of  the  fire — 
the  yelhng  and  howling  of  several  hundred  Indians — the  cries  of 
nine  women  and  children,  (a  part  soldiers'  and  a  part  citizens' 
wives,  who  had  taken  shelter  in  the  fort,)  and  the  desponding  of 
so  many  of  the  men,  which  was  worse  than  all — I  can  assure  you 
that  my  feelings  were  very  unpleasant ;  and  indeed  there  were  not 
more  than  ten  or  fifteen  men  able  to  do  a  great  deal,  the  others 
being  cither  sick  or  convalescent — and  to  add  to  our  other  misfor- 
tunes  two  of  the  stoutest  men  in  the  fort,  and  that  I  had  every 
confidence  in,  jumped  the  picket  and  left  us.  But  my  presence 
of  mind  did  not  for  a  moment  forsake  me.  I  saw  that  by  throwing 
part  of  the  roof  that  joined  the  block-house  that  was  on  fire,  and 
keeping  the  end  perfectly  wet,  the  whole  row  of  buildings  might 
be  saved,  and  leave  only  an  entrance  of  eighteen  or  twenty  feet  for 
the  Indians  to  enter  after  the  house  was  consumed  ;  and  that  a 
temporary  breastwork  might  be  erected  to  prevent  their  even  en- 
tering there.  I  convinced  the  men  that  this  could  be  accomplished, 
and  it  appeared  to  inspire  them  with  new  life,  and  never  did  men 
act  with  more  firmness  or  desperation.  Those  that  were  able 
(while  the  others  kept  up  a  constant  fire  from  the  other  block- 
house and  the  two  bastions)  mounted  the  roofs  of  the  houses  with 
Dr.  Clark  at  their  head,  (who  acted  with  the  greatest  firmness  and 
presence  of  mind  the  whole  time  the  attack  lasted,  which  was 
seven  hours,)  under  a  shower  of  bullets,  and  in  less  than  a  mo- 
ment threw  off  as  much  of  the  roof  as  was  necessary.  This  was 
done  only  with  the  loss  of  one  man  and  two  wounded,  and  I  am 
in  hope  neither  of  them  dangerous.  The  man  that  was  killed  was 
a  little  deranged,  and  did  not  get  off  the  house  as  soon  as  directed, 
or  he  would  not  have  been  hurt ;  and  although  the  barracks  were 
several  times  in  a  blaze,  and  an  immense  quantity  of  fire  against 
them,  the  men  used  such  exertion  that  they  kept  it  under,  and  be- 
fore day  raised  a  temporary  breastwork  as  high  as  a  man's  head 
although  the  Indians  continued  to  pour  in  a  heavy  fire  of  ball  and 
an  innumerable  quantity  of  arrows  during  the  whole  lime  the  at- 
tack lasted,  in  every  part  of  the  parade.  I  had  but  one  other  man 
killed,  nor  any  other  wounded  inside  the  fort,  and  he  lost  his  life 
by  being  too  anxious.     He  got  into  one  of  the  gallies  in  the  bas- 


DEFENCE  OF  FORT  HARRISON.  33 

tions,  and  fired  over  the  pickets,  and  called  out  to  his  comrades 
that  he  had  killed  an  Indian,  and  neglecting  to  stoop  down,  in  an 
instant  he  was  shot  dead.  One  of  the  men  that  jumped  the  pickets 
returned  an  hour  before  day,  and  running  up  towards  the  gate  beg- 
ged for  God's  sake  for  it  to  be  opened.  I  suspected  it  to  be  a  strat- 
agem of  the  Indians  to  get  in,  as  I  did  not  recollect  the  voice.  I 
directed  the  men  in  the  bastion  where  I  happened  to  be  to  shoot 
him,  let  him  be  who  he  would,  and  one  of  them  fired  at  him,  but 
fortunately  he  ran  up  to  the  other  bastion,  where  they  knew  his 
voice,  and  Dr.  Clark  directed  him  to  lie  down  close  to  the  pickets, 
behind  an  empty  barrel  that  happened  to  be  there,  and  at  daylight 
I  had  him  let  in.  His  arm  was  broke  in  a  shocking  manner  ; 
which  he  says  was  done  by  the  Indians,  which  I  suppose  was  the 
cause  of  his  returning.  I  tiiink  it  probable  that  he  will  not  recover. 
The  other  they  caught  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  yards  from  the 
garrison,  and  cut  him  all  to  pieces. 

"  After  keeping  up  a  constant  fire  until  about  six  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  which  we  began  to  return  with  some  effect  after 
daylight,  they  removed  out  of  reach  of  our  guns.  A  party  of  them 
drove  up  the  horses  that  belonged  to  the  citizens  here,  and  as  they 
could  not  catch  them  readily,  shot  the  whole  of  them  in  our  sight, 
as  well  as  a  number  of  their  hogs.  They  drove  off  the  whole  of 
the  cattle,  which  amounted  to  sixty-five  head,  as  well  as  the  public 
oxen.  I  had  the  vacancy  filled  up  before  night  (which  was  made 
by  the  burning  of  the  block-house)  with  a  strong  row  of  pickets, 
which  I  got  by  pulling  down  the  guard-house.  We  lost  the  whole 
of  our  provisions,  but  must  make  out  to  live  upon  green  corn  until 
we  can  get  a  supply,  which  I  am  in  hopes  will  not  be  long.  I  be- 
lieve the  whole  of  the  Miamies  or  Weas  were  among  the  Prophet's 
party,  as  one  chief  gave  his  orders  in  that  language,  which  resem- 
bled Stone  Eater's  voice,  and  I  believe  Negro  Legs  was  there  like- 
wise. A  Frenchman  here  understands  their  different  languages  ; 
and  several  of  the  Miamies  and  Weas,  that  have  been  frequently 
here,  were  recognised  by  the  Frenchman  and  soldiers  the  next 
morning.  The  Indians  suffered  smartly,  but  were  so  numerous  as 
to  take  off  all  that  were  shot.  They  continued  with  us  until  the 
next  morning,  but  made  no  other  attempt  on  the  fort,  nor  have  we 

5 


34  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

seen  any  tiling  more  of  them  since.  I  have  delayed  informing  you 
of  my  situation  as  I  did  not  like  to  weaken  the  garrison,  and  I 
looked  for  some  person  from  Vincenncs,  and  none  of  my  men  were 
acquainted  with  the  woods,  and  therefore  I  would  either  have  to 
take  the  road  or  the  river,  which  I  was  fearful  was  guarded  by 
small  parties  of  Indians  that  would  not  dare  attack  a  company  of 
rangers  that  was  on  a  scout ;  but  being  disappointed,  I  have  at 
length  determined  to  send  a  couple  of  my  men  by  water,  and  am 
in  hopes  they  will  arrive  safe.  I  think  it  would  be  best  to  send  the 
provisions  under  a  pretty  strong  escort,  as  the  Indians  may  attempt 
lo  prevent  their  coming.  If  you  carry  on  an  expedition  against 
the  Prophet  this  fall,  you  ought  to  be  well  provided  with  every 
thing,  as  you  may  calculate  on  having  every  inch  of  ground  dis- 
puted between  this  and  there  that  they  can  defend  with  advantage. 

"  Wishing,  &;c. 

"  Z.  Taylor." 

Faihng  in  this  attempt  to  forward  his  dispatches.  Captain  Taylor 
writes  Governor  Harrison  as  follows,  three  days  afterwards  : — 

"  Fort  Harrison,  Sept.  13,  1812. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  wrote  you  on  the  10th  instant,  giving  you  an  ac- 
count of  an  attack  on  this  place,  as  well  as  my  situation,  which  ac- 
count I  attempted  to  send  by  water,  but  the  two  men  whom  I  dis- 
patched in  a  canoe  after  night,  found  the  river  so  well  guarded  that 
they  were  obliged  to  return.  The  Indians  had  built  a  fire  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  a  short  distance  below  the  garrison,  which  gave 
them  an  opportunity  of  seeing  any  craft  that  might  attempt  to  pass, 
and  were  waiting  with  a  canoe  ready  to  intercept  it.  I  expect  the 
fort,  as  well  as  the  road  to  Vincennes,  is  as  well  or  better  watched 
than  the  river.  But  my  situation  compels  me  to  make  one  other  at- 
tempt by  land,  and  my  orderly  sergeant  and  one  other  man  sets  out 
to-night  with  strict  orders  to  avoid  the  road  in  the  day-time,  and 
depend  entirely  on  the  woods,  although  neither  of  them  have  ever 
been  in  Vincennes  by  land,  nor  do  they_  know  any  thing  of  the 
country,  but  I  am  in  hopes  they  will  reach  you  in  safety.  I  send 
them  with  great  reluctance  from  their  ignorance  of  the  woods.     I 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  35 

think  it  very  probable  there  is  a  large  party  of  Indians  waylaying 
the  road  between  this  and  Vincennes,  likely  about  the  Narrows,  for 
the  purpose  of  intercepting  any  party  that  may  be  coming  to  this 
place,  as  the  cattle  they  got  here  will  supply  them  plentifully  with 
provisions  for  some  time  to  come. 

"  Please,  &c. 

"Z.  Taylor      ' 

"  His  Excellency,  Governor  Harrison," 

At  the  time  of  writing  this  letter  Colonel  Russel  was  within 
fifteen  miles  of  Fort  Harrison  with  a  reinforcement  of  six  hundred 
mounted  rangers  and  five  hundred  infantry,  though  his  approach 
was  unknown  to  Captain  Taylor,  and  arrived  to  his  relief  on  the 
16th. 


36  LIFE    OF    GENERAL   TAYLOR, 


CHAPTER   V. 

Heneral  Taylor's  Expedition  to  the  Prophet's  To\ni. — Promotion  to  Major. — Repairs 
to  Florida. — Buttle  of  Okee-cho-bee. 

On  the  lllh  November,  the  army  under  Major-general  Hopkins 
left  Fort  Harrison  on  an  expedition  to  the  Prophet's  town,  which 
they  reached  on  the  19th;  three  hundred  men  were  detached  to 
surprise  the  Winnebago  town,  lying  on  Ponse  Passu  creek,  one 
mile  from  the  Wabash  and  four  below  the  Prophet's.  Tliis  parly, 
commanded  by  General  Butler,  surrounded  the  place,  but  found  it 
evacuated.  On  the  three  following  days  they  were  embarked  in 
the  destruction  of  the  Prophet's  town,  a  village  of  about  forty  cabins 
and  huts,  and  the  large  Kick-a-poo  village  below  it,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  cabins  ;  de- 
stroying the  corn,  reconnoitring  the  adjacent  country,  and  con- 
structing works  of  defence.  We  cannot  particularize  the  events 
of  this  expedition,  but  suffice  to  say  it  proved  highly  successful, 
and  Captain  Taylor  took  a  most  active  part  in  the  business  of  the 
campaign.  Major-general  Hopkins,  in  his  dispatch  to  Governor 
Shelby,  in  rendering  his  acknowledgments  to  the  officers  under  his 
command,  says,  "  as  also  to  Captain  Z.  Taylor,  of  the  7lh  United 
States  regiment,  for  a  prompt  and  effectual  support  in  every 
instance." 

On  his  return  from  this  expedition  Captain  Taylor  found  a  pack- 
age for  him  from  the  seat  of  government ;  and  upon  its  being 
opened,  was  discovered  to  contain  a  commission  from  President 
Madison,  conferring  on  him  the  rank  of  brevet  Major,  as  a  reward 
for  his  gallant  defence  of  Fort  Harrison,  and  bore  the  date  of  that 
event. 

Major  Taylor  was  promoted  to  colonel  in  1832,  which  has  been 
his  lineal  rank  until  recently,  when  he  was  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  senate  Major-general,  according  to  the  provisions  of  an 
act  passed  the  present  session  to  increase  the  number  of  Major  and 
Brigadier-generals,   etc.     In  the   early  part  of  the  difficulties  in 


BATTLE    OF    OKEE-CHO-BEE.  37 

Florida  he  repaired  thither,  and  few  officers  rendered  the  country- 
better  service  in  that  campaign. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1 837,  was  fought  the  disastrous  battle 
of  Okee-cho-bee,  between  Colonel  Taylor  and  the  Seminoles  and 
Mickasukies  under  Alligator  and  Sam  Jones.  The  United  States 
army  had  now  been  in  operation  in  Florida  for  two  years,  and 
Colonel  Taylor  was  in  command  of  the  first  brigade,  at  Fort  Gard- 
ner, south  of  the  Withlacoochee.  On  the  19th  of  December,  he 
received  a  communication  from  Major-general  Jesup,  informing 
liim  that  all  hopes  of  bringing  the  war  to  a  close  by  negotiation, 
through  the  interference  or  mediation  of  the  Cherokee  delegation, 
were  at  an  end,  Sam  Jones,  with  the  Mickasukies,  having  deter- 
mined to  fight  it  out  to  the  last ;  and  directing  him  to  proceed  with 
the  least  possible  delay  against  any  portion  of  the  enemy  he  might 
hear  of  within  striking  distance,  and  to  destroy  or  capture  him. 

The  next  morning  after  receiving  this  communication,  Colonel 
Taylor  marched  with  the  whole  of  his  command,  except  an  ade- 
quate force  under  two  officers  left  to  protect  the  depot,  with  twelve 
days'  rations  only,  his  means  of  transportation  not  enabling  him  to 
carry  more.  His  force  consisted  of  Captain  Munro's  company  of 
the  4th  artillery,  consisting  of  thirty-five  men;  the  1st  infantry, 
under  Colonel  Davenport,  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  strong; 
the  4th  infantr}^  under  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Foster^  two 
hundred  and  seventy-four  men  ;  the  6th  infantry,  under  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Thompson,  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  men ;  the  Mis- 
souri volunteers,  one  hundred  and  eighty  men ;  Morgan's  Spies, 
forty-seven ;  and  thirty  pioneers,  thirteen  pontoniers,  and  seventy 
Delaware  Indians  ;  making  in  all,  exclusive  of  officers,  one  thou- 
sand thirty-two  men ;  the  greater  part  of  the  Shawnees  having  been 
detached,  and  the  balance  refusing  to  accompany  him,  under  the 
pretext  that  a  number  of  -them  were  sick,  and  the  remainder  were 
without  moccasins. 

He  moved  down  the  west  side  of  the  Kissimmee,  in  a  southerly 
course,  towards  Lake  Istopoga,  for  the  reasons  that  a  portion  of  the 
hostiles  were  to  be  found  in  that  direction  ;  that  if  General  Jesup 
should  fall  in  with  the  Mickasukies  and  drive  them,  they  might  at- 
tempt to  elude  him  by  crossing  the  Kissimmee  from  the  east  to  the 


38  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

west  side  of  the  peninsula,  between  Fort  Gardner  and  its  entrance 
into  Okce-cho-bee,  in  which  case  he  might  be  near  at  hand  to  in- 
tercept them ;  to  overawe  and  induce  such  of  the  enemy  as  had 
been  making  propositions  to  give  themselves  up,  and  who  had  been 
slow  to  fulfil  their  promises  ;  and  also  to  erect  block-houses  and  a 
small  picket  work  on  the  Kissimniee,  for  a  third  depot,  forty  or  fifty 
miles  below  the  fort,  and  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  country,  as  he 
had  no  guide  to  rely  upon,  and  by  this  means  open  a  communica- 
tion with  Colonel  Smith,  who  was  operating  up  the  Calooschatchee 
or  Sanybcl  river  by  his  orders. 

In  the  evening  of  his  first  day's  march.  Colonel  Taylor  met  the 
Indian  chief  Jumper,  with  his  family,  and  a  part  of  his  band,  con- 
sisting of  fifteen  men,  some  of  them  with  famiUes,  and  a  few  ne- 
groes— in  all  sixty-three  souls,  on  his  way  to  give  himself  up,  in 
conformity  to  a  previous  arrangement  Colonel  Taylor  had  entered 
into  with  him.  They  were  conducted  by  Captain  Parks,  a  half-breed 
at  the  head  of  the  friendly  Indians,  both  Shawnees  and  Delawares. 
The  army  encamped  that  night  near  the  spot,  and  the  next  morn- 
ing, having  sent  on  Jumper  and  his  party  to  Fort  Frazer,  Colonel 
Ta}'lor  continued  his  march,  preceded  by  three  Seminoles,  to  gain 
intelligence  as  to  the  position  of  the  enemy.  About  noon  of  the 
same  day,  he  sent  forward  one  battalion  of  Gentry's  regiment,  un- 
der command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Price,  to  pick  up  any  strag- 
glers that  might  fall  in  his  way  ;  to  encamp  two  or  three  miles  in 
advance  of  the  main  force  ;  to  act  with  great  circumspection,  and 
to  communicate  promptly  any  occurrence  that  might  take  place  in 
his  vicinity  important  for  Colonel  Taylor  to  know. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Colonel  Taylor  received  a  note 
from  Colonel  Price,  staling  that  the  three  Seminoles  sent  forward 
in  the  moniing  had  relumed  ;  that  they  had  been  at  or  where  Alli- 
gator had  encamped,  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  in  his  advance  ;  that 
Alligator  had  left  there  with  a  part  of  his  family  four  days  before, 
under  pretext  of  separating  his  relations,  &c.,  from  the  Mickasu- 
kies,  preparatory  to  his  surrendering  with  them  ;  that  there  were 
several  families  remaining  at  the  camp  referred  to,  who  wished  to 
give  themselves  up,  and  would  remain  there  until  Colonel  T. 
took  possession  of  them,  unless  they  were  forcibly  carried  off  that 


BATTLE    OF    OKEE-CHO-BEE.  39 

night  by  the  Mickasukies,  who  were  encamped  at  no  great  dis- 
tance from  them. 

In  consequence-  of  this  intelligence,  after  directing  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Davenport  to  follow  him  early  in  the  morning  with  the  in- 
fantry, a  httle  after  midnight  Colonel  Taylor  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  residue  of  his  mounted  men,  joined  Lieutenant-colonel 
Price,  proceeded  on,  crossing  Istopoga  outlet,  and  soon  after  day- 
light took  possession  of  the  encampment  referred  to,  when  he 
found  the  inmates  had  not  been  disturbed,  amounting  in  all  to 
twenty-two  individuals.  He  learned  from  an  old  man  among  them 
that  Alligator  was  anxious  to  give  himself  up,  and  he  sent  him  to 
inform  him  that  if  he  was  sincere  in  his  professions,  he  would  meet 
him  the  next  day,  at  a  place  designated,  on  the  Kissimmee. 

When  the  infantry  came  up,  Colonel  Taylor  moved  on  to  the 
place  of  meeting  with  Alligator,  which  on  reaching  late  in  the  eve- 
ning, encamped.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  old  Indian  returned,  bring- 
ing a  very  equivocal  message  from  Alligator,  whom  he  stated  he  had 
met  accidentally.  Also  that  the  Mickasukies  were  still  encamped 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  where  they  had  been  for  some 
days,  and  determined  to  have  a  fight  with  the  United  States  troops. 
Colonel  Taylor  at  once  determined  on  indulging  them  as  soon  as 
practicable.  Accordingly  the  next  morning,  after  laying  out  a 
small  stockade  work  for  the  protection  of  a  future  depot,  in  order 
to  enable  him  to  move  with  the  greatest  celerity,  he  deposited  the 
whole  of  his  heavy  baggage,  including  artillery,  &c.,  and  having 
provisioned  the  command,  to  include  the  twenty-sixth,  after  leaving 
Captain  Munroe  with  his  company,  the  pioneer,  pontoniers,  with 
eighty-five  sick  and  disabled  infantry,  and  a  portion  of  the  friendly 
Indians,  who  alleged  that  they  were  unable  to  march  further, 
crossed  the  Kissimmee,  taking  the  old  Indian  as  a  guide  who  had 
been  captured  the  day  before,  and  who  accompanied  them  with 
great  apparent  reluctance  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  early  the 
next  day  reached  Alligator's  encampment,  situated  on  the  edge  of 
Cabbage-tree  Hammock,  in  the  midst  of  a  large  prairie  ;  from  the 
appearance  of  which,  and  other  encampments  in  the  vicinity,  and 
the  many  evidences  of  slaughtered  cattle,  there  must  have  been 
several  hundred  individuals. 


40  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

The  spies  surprised  another  encampment  at  no  great  distance 
in  the  midst  of  a  swamp,  in  which  were  a  small  party  of  younff 
men,  an  old  man,  and  some  women  and  children,  who  raised  the 
white  flag,  and  were  taken  possession  of.  They  were  Scminoles, 
and  informed  Colonel  Taylor  that  the  Mickasukics,  headed  by 
A-vi-a-ka,  (Sam  Jones,)  w^as  some  ten  or  twelve  miles  distant,  en- 
camped in  a  swamp,  and  were  prepared  to  fight.  Dismissing  the 
old  man,  and  making  provision  for  those  that  came  in,  Colonel  Tay- 
lor moved  on,  under  guidance  of  the  Seminoles,  towards  the  camp 
of  the  ^lickasukies. 

Between  two  and  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  he  reached  a 
very  dense  cypress  swamp,  through  which  they  Ave  re  compelled  to 
pass,  and  in  which  the  guides  informed  them  they  might  be  at- 
tacked. After  making  the  necessary  disposition  for  battle,  it  was 
ascertained  that  there  was  no  enemy  to  oppose  them.  The  army 
crossed  over  and  encamped  for  the  night,  it  being  very  late.  During 
tJie  passage  of  the  rear,  Captain  Parks,  who  was  in  advance  with 
a  few  friendly  Indians,  fell  in  with  two  of  the  enemy's  spies — one 
on  horseback  the  other  on  fool — and  succeeded  in  capturing  the 
latter.  He  was  an  active  young  warrior,  armed  with  an  excellent 
rifle,  fifty  balls  in  his  pouch,  and  an  adequate  proportion  of  powder. 
This  Indian  confirmed  the  information  which  had  previously  been 
received  from  the  other  Indians,  and,  in  addition,  stated  that  a  large 
body  of  Scminoles,  headed  by  John  Cohua,  Co-a-coo-chee,  and,  no 
doubt.  Alligator,  widi  other  chiefs,  were  encamped  five  or  six  miles 
from  them,  near  the  Mickasukies,  with  a  cypress  swamp  and  dense 
Iiammock  between  them  and  the  latter. 

The  army  moved  forward  at  daylight  the  next  morning,  and  after 
marching  five  or  six  miles  reached  the  camp  of  the  Scminoles,  on 
the  borders  of  another  cypress  swamp,  which  must  have  contained 
several  hundred,  and  bore  evident  traces  of  having  been  abandoned 
in  a  great  hurry,  as  the  fires  were  still  burning,  and  quantities  of 
beef  lying  on  the  ground  unconsumed. 

Here  the  troops  were  again  disposed  of  in  order  of  battle,  but 
they  found  no  enemy  to  oppose  them,  and  the  command  was  crossed 
over,  where  they  entered  a  large  prairie  in  their  front,  on  which  two 
or  three  hundred  cattle  were  grazing,  and  a  number  of  Indian  po- 


BATTLE    OF    OKEE-CHO-BEE.  41 

nies.  Here  another  young  Indian  warrior  was  captured,  armed 
and  equipped  as  the  former.  He  pointed  out  a  dense  hammock  on 
the  right,  about  a  mile  distant,  in  which  he  said  the  hostiles  were 
situated  and  wailing  to  give  them  battle. 

At  this  place  the  final  disposition  was  made  to  attack  them, 
which  was  in  two  lines  ;  the  volunteers  under  Gentry,  and  Mor- 
gan's spies,  to  form  the  first  line  in  extended  order,  who  were  in- 
structed to  enter  the  hammock,  and,  in  the  event  of  being  attacked 
and  hard  pressed,  were  to  fall  back  in  rear  of  the  regular  troops, 
out  of  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire  ;  the  second  line  was  composed  of 
the  fourth  and  sixth  infantry,  who  were  instructed  to  sustain  the 
volunteers,  the  first  infantry  being  held  in  reserve. 

Moving  on  in  the  direction  of  the  hammock,  after  proceeding 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  they  reached  the  swamp  that  separated 
them  from  the  enemy,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  breadth,  being 
totally  impassable  for  horse  and  nearly  so  for  foot,  covered  with  a 
thick  growth  of  saw-grass  five  feet  high,  and  about  knee-deep  in 
mud  and  water,  which  extended  to  the  left  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  and  to  the  right  to  a  part  of  the.  swamp  and  hammock  they 
had  just  crossed,  through  which  ran  a  deep  creek.  At  the  edge  of 
the  swamp  all  the  men  were  dismounted,  and  the  horses  and  bag- 
gage left  under  a  suitable  guard.  Captain  Allen  was  detached  with 
the  two  companies  of  mounted  infantry  to  examine  the  swamp  and 
hammock  to  the  right ;  and  in  case  he  should  not  find  the  enemy 
in  that  direction,  was  to  return  to  the  baggage,  and,  in  the  event  of 
his  hearing  a  heavy  firing,  was  immediately  to  join  Colonel  Taylor. 

6 


48  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAVLOR. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Battle  of  Okee-cho-bee  Concluded— Effect  of  this  Battle— Colonel  Taylor  given  in 
Command  of  Posts.— Promotiou.—Takes  Command  of  Army  in  Florida.— Resigns.— 
Ordered  to  Texas. 

All  the  arrangements  for  an  attack  upon  the  enemy  having  been 
made,  Colonel  Taylor  crossed  the  swamp  in  the  order  stated  in  the 
last  chapter.  On  reaching  the  borders  of  the  hammock  the  volun- 
teers and  spies  received  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy,  which  was 
returned  by  them  for  a  short  time,  when  their  gallant  commander, 
Colonel  Gentry,  fell,  mortally  wounded.  They  mostly  broke,  and 
instead  of  forming  in  the  rear  of  the  regulars,  as  had  been  directed, 
they  retired  across  the  swamp  to  their  baggage  and  horses,  nor 
could  they  again  be  brought  into  action  as  a  body,  although  efforts 
were  made  by  Colonel  Taylor's  staff  to  induce  them  to  do  so. 

The  enemy,  however,  were  promptly  checked  and  driven  back 
by  the  fourth  and  sixth  infantry,  which  in  truth  might  be  said  to  be 
a  moving  battle.  The  weight  of  the  enemy's  fire  was  principally 
concentrated  on  five  companies  of  the  sixth  infantry,  which  not  only 
stood  firm,  but  continued  to  advance  until  their  gallant  conmiandcr. 
Lieutenant-colonel  Thompson,  and  his  adjutant.  Lieutenant  Center, 
were  killed  ;  and  every  officer,  with  one  exception,  as  well  as  most 
of  the  non-commissioned,  including  the  sergeant-major  and  four  of 
the  orderly-sergeants,  killed  and  wounded  of  those  companies  ; 
when  that  portion  of  the  regiment  retired  for  a  short  distance  and 
were  reformed,  one  of  those  companies  having  hut  four  members 
left  untouched. 

Lieutenant-colonel  Foster,  with  six  companies,  amounting  in  all 
to  one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  gained  the  hammock  in  good  order, 
where  he  was  joined  by  Captain  Noel,  with  the  two  remaining 
companies  of  the  sixth  infantry,  and  Captain  Gillam,  of  Gentry's 
volunteers,  with  a  few  additional  men,  and  continued  to  drive  the 
enemy  for  a  considerable  time,  and  by  a  change  of  front,  separated 
his  line,  and  continued  to  drive  him  until  he  reached  the  great  lake 
Okee-cho-bee,  which  was  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  position,  and 


BATTLE  OF    OKEE-CHO-BEE.  43 

on  which  their  encampment  extended  for  more  than  a  mile.  As 
soon  as  Colonel  Taylor  was  informed  that  Captain  Allen  was  ad- 
vancing, he  ordered  the  first  infantry  to  move  to  the  left,  gain  the 
enemy's  right  flank  and  turn  it,  which  order  was  executed  in  the 
promptest  manner  possible  ;  and  as  soon  as  that  regiment  got  in 
position,  the  enemy  gave  one  fire  and  retreated,  being  pursued  by 
the  first,  fourth,  and  sixth,  and  some  of  the  volunteers  who  had 
joined  them,  until  near  night,  and  until  these  troops  were  nearly 
exhausted,  and  the  enemy  driven  in  all  directions. 

The  action  was  a  severe  one,  and  continued  from  half  past  twelve 
until  after  three  P.  M.,  a  part  of  the  time  very  close  and  severe. 
Colonel  Taylor's  command  suffered  much,  having  twenty-six  killed 
and  one  hundred  and  twelve  wounded,  among  whom  were  some  of 
his  most  valuable  ofiicers.  The  hostiles,  it  is  thought,  suffered  in 
equal  proportion,  they  having  left  ten  dead  on  the  ground,  besides, 
doubtless,  carrying  off  many  more,  as  is  customary  with  them  when 
practicable. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  was  completely  broken.  Colonel  Taylor 
turned  his  attention  to  taking  care  of  the  wounded,  to  facihtate  their 
removal  to  his  baggage,  where  he  ordered  an  encampment  to  be 
formed,  directed  Captain  Taylor  to  cross  over  to  the  spot,  and  em- 
ploy every  individual  whom  he  might  find  there  in  constructing  a 
small  footway  across  the  swamp  ;  this,  with  great  exertions,  was 
completed  in  a  short  time  after  dark,  when  all  the  dead  and  wounded 
were  carried  over  in  litters,  made  for  that  purpose,  with  one  ex- 
ception, a  private,  who  was  killed,  and  could  not  be  found. 

In  speaking  of  this  disastrous  though  successful  action.  Colonel 
Taylor  says,  in  his  official  communication  to  the  department,  "  I 
trust  I  may  be  permitted  to  say,  that  I  experienced  one  of  the 
most  trying  scenes  of  my  life,  and  he  who  could  have  looked  on  it 
with  indifference,  his  nerves  must  have  been  very  differently  organ- 
ized from  my  ovi^n ;  besides  the  killed,  there  lay  one  hundred  and 
twelve  wounded  ofiicers  and  soldiers,  who  had  accompanied  me 
one  hundred  and  forty-five  miles,  most  of  the  way  through  an  un- 
explored wilderness,  without  guides,  who  had  so  gallantly  beat  the 
enemy,  under  my  orders,  in  his  strongest  position,  and  who  had  to 
be  conveyed  back  through  swamps  and  hammocks,  from  whence 


^^i  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

we  set  out  without  any  apparent  means  of  doing.  This  service, 
however,  was  encountered  and  overcome,  and  they  have  been  con- 
veyed thus  far,  and  proceeded  on  to  Tampa  Bay,  on  rude  litters, 
constructed  with  tlie  axe  and  knife  alone,  with  poles  and  dry  hides 
—the  latter  being  found  in  great  abundance  at  the  encampment 
of  the  hostiles.  The  litters  were  conveyed  on  the  backs  of  our 
weak  and  tottering  horses,  aided  by  tiie  residue  of  the  command, 
with  more  ease  and  comfort  to  the  sufferers  than  I  could  have  sup^ 
posed  ;  and  with  as  much  as  they  could  have  been  in  ambulances 
of  the  most  improved  and  modern  construction," 

The  day  after  the  battle  Colonel  Taylor  and  his  command  re- 
mained  at   their   encampment,    occupied   in   taking   care    of  the 
wounded,  and  in  the  sacP  office  of  interring  the  dead  ;  also  in  pre- 
paring litters  for  the  removal  of  the  wounded,  and  collecting,  with  a 
portion  of  the  mounted  men,  the  horses  and  cattle  in  the  vicinity 
belonging  to  the  enemy;  of  which  they  found  about  one  hundred 
of  the  former,  many  of  them  saddled,  and  nearly  three  hundred  of 
the  latter.     On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  Colonel  Taylor  left  the 
encampment  for  the  Kissimmee,  where  they  had  left  their  heavy 
baggage,  which  place  they  reached  about  noon  the  next  day,  and 
findmg  the  stockade  which  he  had  ordered  to  be  constructed  by 
Captain  Munroe  nearly  completed,  he  left  two  companies  and  a 
few  Indians  to  garrison  it,  and  proceeded  on  to  Fort  Gardner.     Ar- 
riving there,  he  sent  on  the  wounded  to  Tampa  Bay,  with  the  fourth 
and  sixth  infantry,  the  former  to  halt  at  Fort  Frazer,  remaining 
himself  at  Fort  Gardner  with  the  first,  in  order  to  make  prepara"^ 
tions  to  take  the  field  again  as  soon  as  his  horses  could  be  recruited, 
and  his  supplies  in  a  sufficient  state  of  forwardness  to  justify  the 
measure. 

In  speaking  of  the  command.  Colonel  Taylor  commends  the 
gallantry  of  the  following  named  officers,  most  of  whom  had  been 
engaged  with  him  in  his  various  campaigns  in  Florida  and  else- 
where, and  some  of  whom  have  since  become  known  with  credit  to 
themselves  :  Lieutenant-colonel  Davenport,  Colonel  Foster,  Major 
Graham,  Captain  Allen,  Lieutenant  Hooper,  Captain  Noel,  Lieu- 
tenant Wood,  Captain  Andrews,  Lieutenant  Walker,  Colonel  Gen- 
try, of  the  Missouri  volunteers,  Captain  Gillam,  Lieutenant  Blake- 


BATTLE    OP    OKEE-CHO-BEE.  45 

ly,  Captain  Childs,  Lieutenants  Rogers,  Flanagan,  Hase,  Gorden, 
Hill,  Griffin,  Harrison,  and  McClure,  Major  Sconce,  Captain  Tay- 
lor, Lieutenant-colonel  Thompson,  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment, Captain  Swearingen,  Adjutant  Center,  Lieutenant  Brooke, 
Major  Brant,  Lieutenant  Babbitt,  and  several  surgeons  and  assist- 
ant surgeons  attached  to  the  command. 

This  stroke  of  Colonel  Taylor's  had  a  tremendous  and  beneficial 
effect  towards  subduing  the  Lidians  in  that  quarter.  An  officer 
writing  from  Fort  Bassinger,  subsequent  to  this  battle,  says  :  "  The 
Lidian  prisoners  now  admit  that  they  lost  twenty  killed  on  the 
ground,  and  a  great  many  wounded,  in  the  fight  with  Colonel  Tay- 
lor. They  had  a  strong  position,  and  fought  well,  but  were  terribly 
ivhipjjed,  and  have  never  returned  near  the  ground  since." 

Jumper,  Alligator,  and  other  chiefs  and  warriors,  afterwards 
came  in,  wdiom  Colonel  Taylor  sent  out  again  from  time  to  time, 
to  induce  their  hostile  companions  to  surrender  themselves  to  the 
commanding  officer,  and  by  this  means  large  numbers  were  brought 
to  yield. 

The  general  policy  of  Colonel  Taylor  while  in  Florida,  together 
with  his  great  industry  and  perseverance,  and  the  hardy  constitu- 
tion he  possessed,  rendered  his  services  immensely  valuable  to  the 
government  and  country  in  subduing  the  savages,  and  bringing 
about  a  peace  and  reconciliation  on  this  southern  frontier. 

Colonel  Taylor,  after  the  battle  of  Okee-cho-bee,  established 
himself  at  Fort  Bassinger,  on  the  Kissimmee,  about  twenty  miles 
west  of  Fort  Lloyd.  On  the  1st  March  following,  Mr.  Poinsett, 
Secretary  of  War,  wrote  to  Major-general  Jesup,  from  which  com- 
munication we  extract  as  follows  : 

"  The  department  indulged  the  hope,  that  with  the  extensive 
means  placed  at  your  disposal,  the  war,  by  a  vigorous  effort,  might 
be  brought  to  a  close  this  campaign.  If,  however,  you  are  of 
opinion  that,  from  the  nature  of  the  country,  and  the  character  of 
the  enemy,  such  a  result  is  impracticable,  and  that  it  is  advisable 
to  make  a  temporary  arrangement  with  the  Seminoles,  by  which 
the  safety  of  the  settlements  and  the  posts  will  be  secured  through- 
out the  summer,  you  are  at  liberty  to  do  so.  In  that  event,  you 
■will  establish  posts  at  Tampa,  and  on  the   eastern  shore,  and 


46  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

wherever  else  ihey  are,  in  your  opinion,  necessary  to  preserve  the 
peace  of  the  country  ;  and  I  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  leaving 
Colonel  Zachary  Taylor,  of  the  first  infantry,  in  command  of 
them."  Upon  this  suggestion,  it  is  presumed  General  Jesup  acted, 
and  Colonel  Taylor  was  given  in  command  of  the  posts  along  the 
frontier. 

In  consideration  of  the  services  rendered  in  Florida,  the  depart- 
ment at  Washington  conferred  on  Colonel  Taylor  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general  by  brevet,  to  take  date  from  the  battle  of  Okee- 
cho-bee. 

Major-general  Jesup  having  reported  that  the  operations  in 
Florida  would  probably  terminate  6n  the  1st  May,  the  Adjutant- 
general  issued  a  "general  order"  on  the  10th  April,  1838,  making 
such  a  disposition  of  the  forces  as  seemed  necessary  ;  the  fifth  ar- 
ticle of  which  reads  as  follows  :  "  Major-general  Jesup  will  take  all 
the  necessary  orders  for  the  prompt  execution  of  this  order,  and 
will  then  turn  over  the  command  of  the  troops  in  Florida  to  brevet 
Brigadier-General  Z.  Taylor,  colonel  of  the  first  infantry  ;  and  on 
being  reheved,  he  will  repair  to  the  seat  of  government,  and  re- 
sume the  duties  of  quartermaster-general."  In  the  May  following 
General  Taylor  was  invested  with  the  command  of  the  troops 
agreeably  with  the  above  order,  and  General  Jesup  proceeded  to 
Washington,  reaching  there  about  the  1st  June. 

General  Taylor  remained  in  command  until  the  fore  part  of 
1840,  when  he  requested  leave  to  retire  from  the  command  of  the 
army  in  Florida,  and  was  relieved  by  Brigadier-general  Armistead, 
and  arrived  in  New  Orleans,  with  his  family,  on  the  21st  June. 

In  the  following  year  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
second  department,  on  the  Arkansas,  to  relieve  General  Arbuckle. 
On  his  way  to  Fort  Gibson,  while  at  Little  Rock,  he  was  tendered, 
in  a  very  handsome  manner,  a  public  dinner,  by  the  citizens  of  that 
town,  as  an  expression  of  esteem  for  his  "  personal  worth  and  me- 
ritorious public  services."  General  Taylor,  in  a  brief  note,  declined 
the  invitation  on  account  of  having  been  already  detained  on  his 
journey  an  unusual  length  of  time,  and  being  anxious  to  proceed 
on  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  his  destined  post.  General  Taylor  soon 
changed  his  head-quarters  to  Fort  Smith ;  and  subsequently  he 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  47 

was  transferred  to  Fort  Jesup,  Louisiana ;  where  the  following  or- 
der from  the  department,  dated  the  1 7th  September,  1 844,  reached 
him : — 

"  Sir, — The  general-in-chief  has  received  instructions,  through 
the  department  of  state,  from  the  Executive,  to  hold  the  troops, 
now  between  the  Red  and  Sabine  rivers,  ready  to  march,  in  case 
of  a  requisition  being  made  by  the  Charge  d' Affaires  residing  near 
the  government  of  Texas,  to  such  point  within  our  limits  or  those 
of  Texas,  as  the  said  Charge  may  designate,  in  order  to  restrain 
any  hostile  incursion  on  the  part  of  the  border  Indians,  as  required 
by  the  provision  of  existing  treaties. 

"You  will  please  to  take  such  preliminary  measures  as  may  be 
deemed  necessary  to  put  the  great  part  of  the  forces  under  your 
command  designated  above,  in  march  for  the  above  purpose  at 
short  notice. 

"  Should  the  apprehended  hostilities  with  the  Indians  alluded  to 
break  out,  an  officer  of  rank,  probably  yourself,  will  be  sent  to 
command  the  United  States  forces  placed  in  the  field,  and  who 
will  receive  hereafter  further  instructions  from  his  government. 

"  L.  Thomas, 
"  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 
"  Brigadier-General  Z.  Taylor, 

"  Com.  1st  Department  Fort  Jesup,  La." 

The  command  of  the  "  Army  of  Observation"  in  Texas  was 
given  soon  after  to  General  Taylor,  though  of  course  ranked  by 
General  Gaines,  and  somewhat  to  the  mortification  of  the  latter, 
though  not  to  his  disparagement,  as  his  gallantry  and  fame  are 
established  beyond  all  contingencies.  The  assignment,  however, 
shows  the  confidence  the  department  placed  in  the  abilities  of 
General  Taylor. 

On  the  1 6th  of  July,  General  Taylor  arrived  at  New  Orleans 
with  his  staff  from  Fort  Jesup,  on  his  way  to  Texas ;  and  in  the 
next  march  he  crossed  the  Nueces,  and  planted  the  United  States 
flag  in  the  ancient  department  of  Tamaulipas. 
,    We  shall  now  give  a  brief  sketch  of  the  lives  of  some  of  the 


48  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

brave  officers  that  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca 
do  la  Palma,  previous  to  the  giving  an  account  of  those  engage- 
ments. We  regret  we  cannot  increase  the  number  of  these  per- 
sonal narratives,  but  want  of  material  at  hand  prevents.  There 
are  very  many  others  who  distinguished  themselves  not  only  in 
these  engagements,  but  stand  before  the  country  well  tried  and 
valorous  officers,  and  whose  names  have  years  ago  found  a  place 
in  the  annals  of  our  frontier  defence.  We  cannot  forbear,  however, 
mentioning  some  of  the  officers  so  warmly  alluded  to  in  General 
Taylor's  official  reports,  and  whose  wisdom,  great 'experience,  and 
skill,  served  to  direct  the  grand  movements  of  those  days,  which 
brought  about  the  result  so  gratifying  and  honorable  to  the  country 
and  all  concerned.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mcintosh,  an  old  war  of- 
ficer, and  one  never  yet  found  behind  his  duty,  or  lacking  in  energy, 
with  his  regiment  the  fifth  infantiy,  gave  the  greatest  proof  of  bra- 
very and  steadiness  in  the  action  of  Palo  Alto  by  receiving  a  deter- 
mined charge  of  the  enemy's  lancers,  and  then  repulsing  them  ; 
and  in  the  action  of  the  following  day,  he  shared  in  the  honors  and 
the  dangers,  being  engaged  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  contest,  and 
having  been  twice  severely  wounded. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Belknap,  a  native  of  the  empire  State,  and 
an  officer,  perhaps,  second  to  none  of  his  rank  in  point  of  ability, 
distinguished  himself  greatly  by  putting,  with  his  brigade,  the  whole 
right  line  of  the  enemy  to  rout  on  the  8th,  and  by  carrying  his 
batteries  and  driving  him  from  his  position  on  the  9th,  and  effectu- 
ally putting  an  end  to  the  contest.  General  Taylor,  after  paying 
high  compliments  to  Colonel  Twiggs,  the  second  in  command, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Garland,  commanding  third  brigade,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Childs,  commanding  the  artillery  battalion.  Major  Al- 
len, and  Captain  Morris,  of  fourth  and  third  infantry,  continues  : 

"  The  impression  made  by  Captain  Duncan's  battery  upon  the 
extreme  right  of  the  enemy's  line  at  the  affair  of  Palo  Alto,  con- 
tributed largely  to  the  result  of  the  day.  The  eighteen-pounder 
battery  which  played  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  action  of  the  8th, 
was  admirably  served  by  Lieutenant  Churchill,  third  arliller}',  as- 
sisted by  Lieutenant  Wood,  topographical  engineers.  Captain 
McCall,  fourth  infantry,  rendered  distinguished  service  with  the 


CREDIT    TO  OFFICERS.  49 

advanced  corps  under  his  orders.  Its  loss  in  killed  and  wounded 
will  show  how  closely  it  was  engaged.  I  may  take  occasion  to 
say  that  in  two  former  instances  Captain  McCall  has  rendered  val- 
uable services  as  a  partisan  officer." 

"  I  derived  efficient  aid  on  both  days  from  all  the  officers  of  my 
staff.  Captain  Bliss,  Assistant  Adjutant-General ;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Payne,  Inspector-General ;  Lieutenant  Eaton,  A.  D.  C. ; 
Captain  Waggaman,  Commissary  of  Subsistence  ;  Lieutenant  Sca- 
vitt,  Engineer,  and  Lieutenants  Blake  and  Meade,  Topographical 
Engineers,  promptly  conveyed  my  orders  to  every  part  of  the  field. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Payne  was  wounded  in  the  affair  of  the  9th, 
and  I  have  already  had  occasion  to  report  the  melancholy  death  of 
Lieutenant  Blake  by  accident." 

"  Major  Craig  and  Lieutenant  Brereton,  of  the  ordnance  depart- 
ment, were  actively  engaged  in  their  appropriate  duties,  and  Sur- 
geon Craig,  medical  director,  superintended  in  person  the  arduous 
duties  of  the  field  hospitals.  I  take  this  occasion  to  mention  gen- 
erally the  devotion  to  duty  of  the  medical  staff  of  the  army,  who 
have  been  untiring  in  their  exertions,  both  in  the  field  and  in  the 
hospitals,  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the  wounded  in  both  armies. 
Captains  Grossman  and  Myers,  of  the  quartermaster's  department, 
who  had  charge  of  the  heavy  supply  train  at  both  engagements, 
conducted  it  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner,  and  finally  brought  it 
up,  without  the  smallest  loss,  to  its  destination." 

Major  Staniford  of  5th  infantry.  Captain  Smith  of  artillery  bat- 
talion, Captain  Ker  of  2d  dragoons.  Captain  Buchanan  4th  infan- 
try, Captains  Graham,  Morrison,  Hoe,  McKavett,  Arnold,  Page, 
(since  dead  from  his  wounds,)  Scott  4th  artillery,  Grossman,  Myers, 
Lieutenants  Shover,  Pleasanton,  Winship,  Wood,  Dobbins,  Scott, 
French,  Gates,  Burbank,  Inge,  Sackett,  Cochran,  Hays,  McDonald, 
Chase,  and  Daniels,  all  distinguished  themselves  in  their  various 
duties. 


50  LIFE    OF    GENERAL   TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Major  Ringgold. — His  Nativity. — Joins  General  Scott's  Staff. — Enters  Service  as 
Lieutenant.— Went  to  Fort  Moultrie.— Assigned  to  Company  C— Forms  new^  Com- 
pany.—The  Flying  Artillery.— Ordered  to  Texas.— His  services  in  the  Battle  of 
Palo  Alto.— Is  Wounded.— His  Death.— Remarks  of  a  Baltimore  Editor.— Eulogy 
of  a  Philadelphia  Editor  and  Judge  of  Court. 

Samuel  Ringgold  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Marj'land, 
in  1800.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  General  Samuel  Ringgold,  and 
his  mother  was  daughter  of  General  John  Cadwallader,  a  distin- 
guished citizen  of  Philadelphia,  and  renowned  in  the  annals  of  the 
American  revolution.  Ringgold  was  sent  to  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point,  in  1814,  and  graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in 
1818,  having  performed  tlie  arduous  duties  and  requirements  of 
that  institution  with  credit  and  honor  to  himself.  He  entered  the 
army  as  a  lieutenant.  General  Scott,  having  his  head-quarters  at 
Philadelphia,  receiving  recommendations  of  him,  and  being  some- 
what acquainted  with  his  family,  and  satisfied  of  his  merit,  selected 
him  at  once  for  one  of  his  aids,  and  he  repaired  to  head-quar- 
ters and  joined  the  staff,  which  station  he  occupied  for  nearly  three 

years. 

While  aid  to  General  Scott,  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  that  distinguished  officer,  and  profited  greatly  by  the  in- 
struction he  received  under  so  accomplished  a  soldier.  He  pos- 
sessed those  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  that  endeared  him  to  his 
associates  and  his  superiors,  and  he  was  one  of  those  who  may  be 
said  to  have  no  enemies,  though  belonging  to  a  profession  so  emi- 
nently calculated  to  engender  envy,  distrust,  or  rivalry. 

Upon  leaving  the  staff  he  entered  active  service  doubly  qualified 
by  the  advantages  he  had  enjoyed,  and  the  close  application  he  had 
pursued  while  in  this  honorable  position.  He  was  attached  to  the 
third  regiment  as  lieutenant  by  brevet,  and  in  July,  1822,  he  was 
promoted  to  first-lieutenant,  vice  Samuel  Spotts  raised  to  captain. 

In  1831,  he  accompanied  his  company  to  Fort  Moultrie,  South 
Carolina,  where  he  remained  until  the  difficulties  occasioned  by 


SKETCH    OF    RINGGOLD.  51 

the  agitation  of  the  question   of   "  nullification"   were   ended  in 
1833. 

In  July,  1834,  he  received  the  rank  of  captain  by  brevet,  to  date 
from  May  8,  1832.  August,  1836,  he  was  promoted  to  captain, 
and  assigned  Company  C,  third  artillery.  In  the  latter  part  of  this 
month  he  was  sent  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  with  his  command,  to 
garrison  the  fort  at  that  place.  But  not  long  subsequent  to  this  he 
was  ordered  to  Florida,  where  he  served  through  the  greater  part 
of  the  war,  to  the  great  injury  of  his  health. 

By  orders  of  November  5,  1838,  Captain  Ringgold's  company 
was  disbanded,  and  he  was  instructed  to  proceed  to  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  organize  and  equip  a  company  of  light  artillery,  in 
conformity  with  an  act  "  to  authorize  the  mounting  and  equipment 
of  a  part  of  the  army  of  the  United  Slates,"  passed  1831,  the  men 
to  be  detailed  from  the  first  and  second  artillery,  and  to  be  dropped 
from  the  rolls  of  their  respective  companies,  and  mustered  as  Com- 
pany C  of  third  regiment.  Captain  Ringgold's  former  company, 
then  in  the  field,  was  broken  up,  and  the  men  transferred  to  the 
other  companies  of  the  regiment,  the  subalterns  only  joining  the 
company  at  Carlisle.  For  "  meritorious  services"  in  Florida,  the 
rank  of  major  by  brevet  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  depart- 
ment. 

Major  Ringgold  now  applied  himself  diligently  to  the  perfection 
of  discipline  in  this  arm  of  the  military  service,  and  with  great 
success.  Mainly  through  his  and  Captain  Duncan's  instrumental- 
ity, the  arm  of  light  or  flying  artillery  has  become  the  most  impor- 
tant in  our  service  ;  and  though  perhaps  it  was  never  thoroughly 
tested  until  on  the  fields  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  the 
great  share  it  contributed  to  the  result  of  those  battles  has  distin- 
guished it  as  one  altogether  important,  and  demanding  the  serious 
attention  of  the  department  in  its  perfect  organization  and  exten- 
sion. The  performances  of  the  flying  artillery  in  an  engagement 
are  of  the  most  ingenious  character,  and  the  eff'ects  of  their  bat- 
tery the  most  destructive  to  the  enemy.  The  arms  made  use  of 
are  the  sword,  pistol,  and  cannon,  the  latter  used  almost  as  ex- 
pertly as  the  former.  "  They  advance  rapidly,  and  with  astonishing 
suddenness  halt,  dismount,  separate  their  cannon  from  the  car- 


52  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

riages,  replace  them,  mount,  and  start  off  again.  At  a  certain 
signal  after  the  firing,  they  instantly  drop  ;  while  the  enemy,  sup- 
posing them  disabled,  venture  too  near,  and  in  an  instant  are  com- 
pletely surprised,  and  are  shot  down  before  they  can  collect  them- 
selves." 

Major  Ringgold  was  ordered  from  Fort  McHenry  to  Texas  with 
the  army  of  occupation,  or  "  observation"  as  it  was  first  designated. 
When  General  Taylor  left  Point  Isabel  to  return  to  the  fort  oppo- 
site Matamoras,  Major  Ringgold,  with  his  regiment,  occupied  a 
position  near  the  vanguard.  Upon  reaching  the  field  of  Palo  Alto, 
at  about  three  o'clock,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  8th  of  May,  the  ac- 
tion commenced  by  the  Mexicans  opening  their  batteries  on  their 
right,  at  a  distance  of  half  a  mile  from  our  line.  The  fire  was  re- 
sponded to  by  two  eighteen-pounders  in  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Churchill.  Major  Ringgold  now  took  position  to  the  right  and 
front  of  the  eighteen-pounders,  at  a  distance  of  seven  hundred 
yards  from  the  enemy,  subsequently  advancing  one  hundred  yards, 
and  opened  his  battery  with  tremendous  eflfect,  as  was  shown  the 
next  day  by  the  large  number  of  the  enemy's  dead  found  on  the 
field  along  this  line. 

Major  Ringgold  pointed  the  guns  with  his  own  hand,  and  with 
unerring  precision,  directing  the  shot  not  only  to  groups  and  masses 
of  the  enemy,  but  to  particular  men  in  their  lines.  He  saw  them 
fall  in  numbers  ;  their  places  occupied  by  others,  who  in  their  turn 
were  shot  down,  pointing  his  guns  to  the  same  place  ;  and,  to  use 
his  own  words,  he  "  felt  as  confident  of  hitting  his  mark  as  though 
he  had  been  using  a  rifle."  The  infantry  was  formed  in  his  rear 
as  his  support,  and  cheered  rapturously  the  brilliant  movements 
and  destructive  execution  of  his  battery,  while  they  received  the 
enemy's  fire  with  great  coolness  at  a  shoulder,  impatient  only  for 
the  order  to  charge. 

At  length  a  regiment  of  the  enemy's  lancers  were  seen  to  make 
a  demonstration  towards  our  right,  apparently  to  gain  possession 
of  our  wagon  train,  when  Lieutenant  Ridgley  was  detached  with 
two  pieces  to  check  the  movement.  This  left  Major  Ringgold 
short  of  men,  or  rather  with  a  less  number  than  he  desired,  and 
considered  actually  necessary  to  execute  his  movement  with  celer- 


SKETCH    OF    RINGGOLD.  53 

ity,  and  to  supply  the  places  of  those  who  fell  or  became  disabled. 
This  was  a  source  of  regret,  even  in  his  last  moments,  that  he  was 
not  enabled  to  do  the  execution  he  otherwise  would  had  his  com- 
plement of  men  been  one  hundred  instead  of  little  over  half  that 
number.  But  he  gallantly  and  nobly  did  his  duty.  Not  a  shade 
of  incapacity,  want  of  diligence,  lack  of  h'avery  on  the  battle- 
field, can  rest  on  his  memory,  or  the  sunshine  of  his  military 
character. 

Major  Ringgold,  however,  continued  to  play  on  the  enemy  with 
great  success  with  his  remaining  pieces,  two  in  number,  advancing, 
retrograding,  or  shifting  his  position  according  to  the  nature  of  the 
action,  for  three  hours,  when  he  was  shot  through  both  thighs  by  a 
six  pound  ball.  He  was  mounted,  and  the  ball  came  from  the 
right,  passing  through  his  right  thigh  about  midway,  at  right  angles 
through  the  holsters,  tearing  away  the  front  part  of  the  saddle  and 
the  horse's  shoulders,  and  into  the  Major's  left  thigh.  An  officer 
came  quickly  to  his  aid — 

"  Don't  stay  with  me :  you  have  work  to  do,"  said  the  gallant 
Major  ;  "  go  ahead."  The  command  of  his  company  fell  on  Lieu- 
tenant Shover,  who  managed  the  batteries  skilfully  during  the  rest 
of  the  day. 

He  was  conveyed  to  his  camp  in  the  charge  of  Dr.  Byrne,  of  the 
army,  placed  in  comfortable  quarters,  and  his  wounds  dressed.  An 
immense  mass  of  muscles  and  integuments  were  carried  away  from 
both  thighs — the  arteries  were  not  divided,  neither  were  the  bones 
broken.  Dr.  Foltz,  surgeon  United  States  army,  remained  with  him 
through  the  night.  He  had  but  little  pain,  and  at  intervals  slept. 
He  continued  to  grow  worse  through  the  9th,  but  conversed  cheer- 
fully upon  the  incidents  of  the  battle,  constantly  adverting  to  the  effi- 
ciency of  his  guns,  and  the  brave  conduct  of  his  officers  and  men. 
He  died  at  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  May,  and  was 
buried  on  the  next  day  with  military  honors,  lamented  by  the  whole 
camp. 

Says  a  Baltimore  editor,  he  was  "  an  accomplished  gentleman, 
beloved  by  his  friends,  respected  by  all.  He  was  devoted  to  his 
profession,  and  justly  appreciated  the  high  responsibilities  of  an 
officer  in  command.     He  rigidly  enforced  discipline,  at  all  times 


54  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

and  in  all  things  ;  and  yet,  probably,  no  officer  had  more  entirely 
the  respect,  the  confidence,  and  the  affectionate  regard  of  all  his 
officers  and  men." 

Upon  the  news  of  Major  ll.'s  death  reaching  Baltimore,  a  mo- 
tion was  made  in  the  county  court,  then  in  session,  to  adjourn,  in 
consequence  of  a  close  relation  existing  between  the  leading  coun- 
sel in  the  case  under  consideration  and  the  deceased,  which  motion 
was  agreed  to.  Judge  Legrand,  in  his  remarks  on  the  event, 
closed  as  follows  :  "  Major  Ringgold  was  a  citizen  of  Baltimore, 
known  to  us  all,  to  some  of  us  intimately,  and  by  whomsoever,  and 
wheresoever  known,  recognised  as  a  gentleman  of  the  highest  sense 
of  honor,  and  of  the  kindliest  feelings  of  which  humanity  is  suscep- 
tible. He  is  gone,  but  the  fame  his  late  brilliant  conduct  won  will 
hereafter  constitute  the  pride  and  the  history  of  his  country." 

We  close  this  brief  sketch  with  an  eloquent  extract  (and  we  hope 
not  fulsome  eulogy)  from  the  Philadelphia  North  American  news- 
paper, valuing  more  highly  the  testimony  of  those  who  knew  the 
subject  best  with  regard  to  his  superior  qualities  as  an  officer,  and 
amiabilities  as  a  man.  "  The  death  of  this  accomplished  officer  is  a 
heavy  loss  to  the  country.  He  had  been  intrusted  with  the  revision 
of  a  system  of  tactics  for  our  army,  and  devoted  much  time  and 
study  to  improving  upon  the  English  and  French  system.  His 
corps  was  as  fine  a  one  as  any  service  could  boast.  He  leaves  un- 
finished, we  think,  a  work  which  he  was  preparing,  on  the  utility 
and  practicability  of  the  flying  artillery  arm  in  service.  Major  R.'s 
constitution  was  much  impaired  by  his  long  campaigns  in  Florida; 
but,  passionately  attached  to  the  profession  of  arms,  he  still  re- 
mained in  the  army,  and  died  a  martyr  to  his  country. 

"  His  death  has  stricken  thousands  of  hearts,  that  gush  luidcr 
the  blow,  with  feelings  which  no  ordinary  public  calamity  could 
have  excited.  He  was  generally  known  and  appreciated  in  this 
city  as  the  Bayard  of  the  age — the  star  of  the  war  ;  and  liis  career 
was  watched  with  anxious,  eyes  and  hearts.  That  it  would  be  glo- 
rious no  one  doubled  ;  but  who  thought  that  an  orb  so  bright  would 
sink  so  early  ?  The  soul  of  chivalry  and  honor,  accomplished  as  a 
soldier,  lofty  as  a  patriot,  beloved  as  a  man,  it  demands  an  agoni- 
zmg  struggle  to  reconcile  us  to  such  a  sacrifice.     And  vet  it  is  a 


SKETCH    OP    RINGGOLD.  55 

noble  one.  In  the  flash  of  his  fame  he  has  died,  as  he  lived — for 
his  country.  The  ofl'ering  was  doubtless  a  glad  one.  He  desired 
no  better  fate  than  such  a  death  ;  he  could  leave  no  richer  inherit- 
ance than  such  an  example.  While  we  feel  as  if  destiny  had  robbed 
the  future  of  the  fame  which  such  a  nature  must  have  won,  we 
dare  not  repine  that  his  career  has  been  closed,  in  its  morning,  with 
this  sunburst  of  glory.  His  memory  will  be  gratefully  cherished 
so  long  as  honor  has  a  victory,  freedom  a  hero,  or  his  country  a 
name." 


56  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Major  Brown. — Colonel  Cross,  and  Captain  Walker. 

The  services  Major  J.  Brown  has  rendered  his  country  are  too 
well  known  to  require  an  extended  notice  of  them  here.  He  was 
a  "  Green-mountain  boy," — a  native  of  Vermont, — and  entered  the 
American  army  as  a  common  soldier  in  the  7th  infantry,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  war  of  1812,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  or 
twenty-five.  His  merit  was  soon  perceived  in  the  active  service 
of  the  war  upon  the  northern  frontier,  and  quickly  won  for  him  an 
ensign's  commission. 

Major  Brown  was  in  nearly  all  the  hard-fought  battles  on  the 
Niagara  during  the  years  1813  and  '14.  Before  the  close  of  the 
war  he  obtained  a  lieutenancy,  and  from  that  rose  by  regular  gra- 
dations to  the  rank  of  major,  in  which  capacity  he  has  served  for 
many  years.  For  some  time  he  filled  the  office  of  commissary  of 
subsistence  at  Council  Bluffs,  afterwards  quartermaster  and  com- 
missary at  St.  Louis.  At  one  time  he  was  employed  in  conduct- 
ing the  tribes  of  emigrant  Indians  to  the  west,  and  was  in  active 
service  during  the  whole  period  of  the  war  in  Florida. 

His  habits  of  exact  discipline  and  strict  accountability  made  his 
services  always  in  request.  Possessing  the  confidence  of  his  su- 
periors, and  the  good  will  of  those  under  his  command,  he  was  an 
officer  in  the  proper  acceptation  of  the  term. 

It  is  from  officers  such  as  these  that  the  country  expects  sub- 
stantial benefit  to  the  service — men  of  tried  courage,  of  patient 
endurance,  of  exactness,  punctuality,  and  system,  to  whom  integ- 
rity is  like  an  instinct,  who  have  learned  their  profession  well,  and 
known  the  advantages  of  discipline  in  the  army,  and  whose  moral 
characteristics  are  firmness  and  perseverance,  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  grand  or  important  achievements,  and  whose  shrewdness 
and  judgment  were  adequate  to  the  task  of  directing  energies  re- 
quired for  such  service. 

In  placing  Major  Brown  in  command  of  the  works  opposite  Ma- 


SKETCH   OF    MAJOR    BROWN.  57 

tamoras,  General  Taylor  displayed  his  sagacity  in  the  knowledge 
of  character  and  officer-like  qualities  in  a  comrade  in  arms,  which 
perhaps  his  experience  and  actual  observation  helped  him  to  foresee. 
He  found  also  the  trust  and  confidence  he  reposed  in  that  command, 
were  not  misplaced,  and  the  great  regret  and  sorrow  is,  that  that 
gallant  officer  should  have  fallen  ere  his  task  should  have  been 
successfully  acquitted,  and  the  laurel  placed  upon  his  brows  ;  that 
the  army  should  have  lost  at  this  time  so  valuable  an  officer,  and 
the  country  so  worthy  and  efficient  a  defender. 

The  bombardment  of  the  fort  opposite  Matamoras  has  been  de- 
scribed in  another  place.  Major  Brown  was  given  the  command 
on  the  1st  of  May,  at  which  time  General  Taylor  set  out  for  Point 
Isabel.  His  command  consisted  of  about  six  hundred  men.  The 
bombardment  commenced  on  the  3d,  and,  on  the  6th,  at  ten  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  a  shell  which  had  been  thrown  from  the  enemy's 
battery,  in  rear  of  the  fort,  fell  near  where  commander  Brown  was 
standing,  bursted,  and  mangled  one  of  his  legs  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  cause  his  death  three  days  after,  amputation  having  been  per- 
formed on  the  day  he  was  wounded.  In  honor  of  the  late  com- 
mander. General  Taylor  gave  the  works  the  designation  of  "  Fort 
Brown." 

General  Taylor,  in  his  official  communication,  says,  "  it  affords 
me  peculiar  pleasure  to  report  that  the  field-work  opposite  Mata- 
moras has  sustained  itself  handsomely  during  a  cannonade  and  bom- 
bardment of  one  hundred  and  sixty  hours.  But  the  pleasure  is 
alloyed  with  profound  regret  at  the  loss  of  its  heroic  and  indomita- 
ble commander,  Major  Brown,  who  died  to-day  from  the  effect  of 
a  shell.  His  loss  would  be  a  severe  one  to  the  service  at  any  time, 
but  to  the  army  under  my  orders,  it  is  indeed  irreparable." 


Captain  Montgomery. — We  take  pleasure  in  alluding  to  the 
gallant  commander  of  the  8th  infantry  in  connection  with  these 
actions,  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  in  the  strongest  terms  of  com- 
mendation. The  services  rendered  by  his  corps,  as  represented  in 
the  official  reports,  were  the  most  efficient  and  important.  When 
the  action  of  the  8th  of  May  commenced.  Captain  Montgomery  was 
situated  on  the  extreme  left,  Captain  Duncan's  battery  on  his  right, 

8 


58  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

and  Lieutenant-colonel  Childs  with  his  battalion  of  artillery  on  the 
right  of  Captain  Duncan.  All  these  composing  the  1st  brigade, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Belknap,  moved  in  this 
order  until  the  enemy  opened  his  batteries.  When  the  brigade 
was  halted,  Captain  Duncan  advanced  with  his  battery  about  two 
hundred  yards,  which  position  he  held  for  nearly  two  hours,  keep- 
ing up  a  most  destructive  fire  on  the  enemy  during  the  time,  while 
Caj)tain  Montgomery,  with  his  regiment,  supported  this  flank 
amidst  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  well-aimed  artillery. 

The  firing  ceased,  and  the  army  was  ordered  to  advance  and 
take  position  somewhat  nearer  the  enemy  ;  the  battalion  of  artillery 
taking  post  in  rear  and  to  right  of  the  two  eightcen-pounders  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant  Churchill,  Captain  Duncan's  artillery  on 
their  left,  and  Captain  Montgomery  with  8th  infantry  on  the  left 
and  10  the  rear  of  Duncan's  battery.  The  enemy  was  now  seen  to 
be  moving  with  the  entire  cavalry  and  infantry  force  of  his  right 
wing  upon  the  Hank  of  this  line.  Captain  Duncan  was  ordered  to 
proceed  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  check  this  movement,  which 
he  did,  supported  by  the  8lh  infantry.  They  dashed  back  to  the 
threatened  point  with  such  alacrity  and  with  such  bold  and  brilliant 
manffiuvring  as  to  strike  the  enemy  with  dismay,  and  he  pulled  up 
to  a  halt  before  a  shot  had  been  fired,  or  the  guns  unlimbered. 
They  engaged  within  point-blank  range  of  his  small  guns,  and  drove 
him  back  with  great  loss, 

A  strong  body  of  the  enemy's  infantry  supported  by  two  squad- 
rons of  cavalry  now  debouched  from  the  extreme  right  point  of  the 
chaparral,  and  moved  steadily  forward  to  the  attack ;  one  section 
of  the  battery  opened  upon  lliein  with  round  shot  and  shells  so  well 
directed  that  the  whole  advance,  horse  and  foot,  fell  back  m  dis- 
order to  the  bushes.  This  column  of  the  enemy,  however,  re- 
formed in  the  chaparral  and  moved  forward  a  second  time,  but 
were  driven  back  by  the  above  cor])s  with  even  greater  success 
than  at  first.  Their  supporting  cavalry  also  abandoned  them,  and 
a  full  retreat  was  commenced.  The  advantage  was  followed  up 
by  both  sections  of  the  battery,  w^hich  was  made  to  bear  upon  the 
enemy's  flying  columns,  and  a  brisk  and  destructive  fire  was  kept 
up  till  they  disappeared,  or  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  battle. 


SKETCH    OF    CAPT.  MONTGOMERY.  59 

On  the  following  day  at  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  Istibri- 
gade  being  within  one  mile  of  the  enemy's  position  on  Resaca  de 
la  Palma,  Captain  Montgomery  received  orders  to  move  up  in 
company  with  Duncan's  battery,  which  he  did  in  double  quick 
lime.  Arriving  at  the  scene  of  action,  he  charged  the  enemy  on 
the  right  of  the  road  most  gallantly,  and  drove  him  from  his  posi- 
tion. He  now  hastened  to  follow  up  the  charge  of  Captain  May, 
of  the  2d  dragoons,  who  had  previously  carried  one  of  the  enemy's 
batteries.  Captain  Montgomery  formed  in  the  road  and  led  his 
command  upon  the  enemy's  battery,  which  had  been  retaken  by 
the  Mexicans,  and  executed  the  movement  with  such  celerity  and 
vigor  as  to  secure  it.  He  now  charged  along  the  ravine  between  the 
enemy's  two  lines,  amidst  a  heavy  fire  from  the  front,  left  and  right, 
drove  the  supporting  column  before  him  for  half  a  mile,  taking  the 
enemy's  right  and  last  battery,  and  destroying  him  in  great  num- 
bers. Captain  Montgomery  pursued  vigorously  into  the  chaparral 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine,  until,  from  the  rapid  flight  of  the 
enemy,  further  pursuit  was  useless. 

Captain  Montgomery  was  joined  in  this  charge  by  Captain  Mar- 
tin Scott,  Lieutenants  Ruggles  and  Crittenden,  with  a  command 
of  5th  infantry,  as  stated  in  our  account  of  this  engagement. 

We  have  thus  hurriedly  and  briefly  spoken  of  the  events  of  these 
actions  in  which  Captain  Montgomery  was  personally  concerned, 
and  we  confess  they  exhibit  him  and  his  regiment  in  a  most  favora- 
ble light.  Their  position  was  at  all  times  during  the  battles  one 
of  imminent  peril  and  exposure,  and  the  loss  which  they  sustained 
is  sufficient  evidence  that  they  took  a  most  hazardous  and  active 
part.  The  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  of  this  regiment,  on  both 
days,  was  more  than  one-third  the  loss  of  the  whole  ariny. 

In  the  action  of  the  8th  Captain  Montgomery's  horse  was  killed 
under  him  ;  and  in  the  charge  of  the  9th  Captain  Montgomery  was 
wounded  in  the  shoulder  by  a  grape  shot. 

Captain  Montgomery  is  a  native  of  Monmouth  county,  New  Jer- 
sey, ?^n  of  James  Montgomery,  a  revolutionary  soldier.  He  gra- 
duated at  West  Point  in  1825,  was  made  captain  1838,  was  sta- 
tioned at  Tampa  Bay  in  1840,  and  followed  General  Taylor  to 
Corpus  Christi  in  the  Army  of  Occupation. 


60  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


COLONEL    CROSS. 


Colonel  Truman  Cross  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  son 
of  Colonel  Cross  of  Prince  George's  County,  lie  commenced 
life  in  humble  circumstances,  but  by  great  industry  and  applica- 
tion, had  won  his  way  to  fortune  as  well  as  distinction.  He 
served  many  years  under  General  Jackson  in  Florida  and  else- 
where, and  was  highly  esteemed  by  that  distinguished  man,  than 
whom  few  could  better  judge  of  qualifications  for  an  office  re- 
quiring courage  and  activity.  Under  that  great  disciplinarian  Col. 
Cross  acquired  a  knowledge  of  military  tactics  that  rendered  him 
very  useful  to  the  service,  and  led  to  distinction  of  rank.  His 
name  is  well  known  in  the  annals  of  engagements  with  the  enemy 
at  the  south. 

He  was  appointed  assistant  quartermaster-general,  and  had  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Rio  Grande  with  the  army  of  occupation.  On  the 
twelfth  day  after  their  encamping  opposite  Matamoras,  he  rode 
from  camp  in  company  with  his  little  son,  and  none  other,  as  is 
supposed.  The  boy  returned,  but  the  father  did  not.  The  alarm 
was  given  upon  his  being  missed,  and  parties  went  out  in  every 
direction,  and  scoured  the  swamps  and  chaparrals  for  considerable 
distance  round  about  without  success,  until  the  search  was  given 
over,  and  it  was  generally  supposed  that  he  had  been  taken  pris- 
oner. General  Taylor  wrote  a  letter  to  Ampudia,  the  Mexican 
commander,  requesting  him  to  aid  in  solving  the  mystery,  but  also 
without  satisfactory  result,  and  his  fate  remained  in  suspense  for 
fourteen  days,  when  his  lifeless  body  was  found  in  a  state  of  muti- 
lation, which  left  no  doubt  that  he  had  been  attacked  and  killed  by 
Mexicans. 

Whereupon  the  following  order  was  issued  by  the  commanding 
general. 

"  Hf.ad-Qijarterb,  Army  of  Orci'PATioN,  ) 
April  2.5,  IMG.      i 

"The  commanding  general  has  the  painful  duly  of  announcing 
that  the  doubt  which  lias  so  long  prevailed  in  regard  to  the  fate  of 


SKETCH    OF    COLONEL    CROSS.  61 

the  late  Colonel  Cross,  has  at  length  been  resolved  into  the  melan- 
choly certainty  of  his  death,  and,  there  is  too  much  reason  to  fear, 
by  violent  hands. 

"  The  high  rank  of  the  deceased,  and  the  ability  and  energy 
which  he  carried  into  the  discharge  of  the  important  duties  of  his 
office,  will  cause  his  loss  to  be  seriously  felt  in  the  service,  while 
the  untoward  circumstances  of  his  demise  will  render  it  peculiarly 
afflicting  to  his  family  and  personal  friends. 

"  The  remains  of  the  late  colonel  will  be  interred  with  military 
honors  at  4  p.  M.  to-morrow.  The  funeral  escort  will  be  composed 
of  a  squadron  of  dragoons  and  eight  companies  of  infantry ;  the 
latter  to  be  taken  from  the  2d  Brigade,  and  the  whole  to  be  or- 
ganized and  commanded  by  Colonel  Twiggs.  The  necessary  ar- 
rangements for  the  funeral  ceremony  will  be  made  by  Lieut.  Col. 
Payne,  Inspector  General. 

"  By  order  of 

"  Brig.  Gen.  Taylor." 

The  editor  of  Niles's  National  Register  thus  notices  the  death 
of  this  valuable  and  brave  officer  : 

"  War  is  a  horrible  evil.  The  first  victim  in  this  new  war  into 
which  our  country  is  now  plunged,  has  brought  with  it  a  deepen- 
ing sense  of  the  evils  inseparable  from  the  mad  conflict  of  man 
with  man,  be  the  occasion  what  it  may.  An  acquaintance,  formed 
in  early  life — a  warm  and  steadfast  friend  from  the  commencement 
of  that  acquaintance — a  generous,  open-hearted,  ardent,  intelli- 
gent, and  talented  man  ; — one  who  was  in  all  the  attributes  a  man 
among  men,  is  the  first  victim.  His  father,  forty  years  since, 
through  many  an  ardent  struggle,  political  and  national,  was  shoul- 
der to  shoulder  with  us,  in  war  with  arms  in  his  hand,  and  in  peace 
or  war,  with  as  ardent  patriotism  at  heart  as  ever  animated  a  citi- 
zen and  a  repubhcan.  His  son  is  snatched  from  our  hopes,  as 
well  as  from  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  and  from  his  own  wife,  now 
widowed,  and  left  with  her  orphans  to  a  life — how  desolate  and 
lonely  !  Wreaths  may  encircle  the  brow  of  victors  in  the  coming 
contest,  but  what  shall  compensate  for  suffering,  of  which  this  is 
but  the  type,  that  must  be  the  price  at  which  they  are  purchased  ?" 


62  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CAPTAIN    WALKER. 


Captain  Samuel  H.  Walker  is  a  native  of  Prince  George, 
Maryland,  and  repaired  to  Texas  from  the  city  of  Washington, 
originally,  where  he  formerly  lived.  His  fearless  daring  soon  dis- 
tinguished him,  in  the  efforts  of  the  Texans  to  acquire  their  inde- 
pendence. He  was  employed  in  the  expedition  against  Meir,  in 
1842,  but  having  adventured  into  the  Mexican  territories  in  ad- 
vance of  the  Texans  he  was  taken  prisoner  with  his  comrades,  and 
held  during  the  battle  of  Meir.  When  the  Texans  surrendered, 
he  with  the  rest  was  marched  to  Malamoras,  and  from  thence  to 
the  castle  of  Perote,  on  their  way  to  Mexico.  The  prisoners  for  a 
time  were  treated  with  some  degree  of  kindness  ;  but  as  they  ad- 
vanced into  the  country,  the  Mexican  officers,  under  whose  charge 
they  were,  threw  off  the  restraints  which  their  articles  of  agreement 
imposed,  and  evinced  towards  them  the  most  unfeeling  barbarity. 

The  Mexican  soldiers  had  repeatedly  been  allowed  to  beat  them, 
and  the  young  officers,  whose  conduct  in  this  respect  was  widely 
different  from  that  of  their  seniors  in  the  Mexican  service,  treated 
them  with  a  severity  as  disgraceful  as  it  was  unjust.  On  reaching 
Salado,  stung  to  desperation  by  the  cruelty  they  received,  they  re- 
solved to  rush  upon  their  guards  and  make  their  escape  ; — among 
the  privates  foremost  in  this  charge  was  Walke?:  When  the  sig- 
nal was  given  he  seized  one  of  the  sentinels  at  the  inner-door  of 
the  prison-yard,  and  Cameron,  a  gallant  Scotchman,  who  was  af- 
terwards by  order  of  the  President  shot  in  cold  blood,  seized  the 
other.  Both  were  disarmed  instantly,  and  the  Texans  rushed  into 
the  outer  court,  where  the  arms  and  cartridge-boxes  were  guarded 
by  150  of  the  Mexican  infantry.  These  were  speedily  driven  out, 
and  while  the  Texans  were  arming  themselves,  the  Mexican  caval- 
ry and  a  company  of  infantry  formed  in  front  of  the  outer  gate. 
The  Texans  charged  through  them,  killing  nine  or  ten  and  wound- 
ing more,  and  themselves  sustaining  a  loss  of  five  killed  and  five 
wounded.  The  Texans  engaged  in  this  affair  numbered  214 — 
the  Mexicans  300. 

The  escaped  Texans  soon  lost  their  way,  became  involved  in 


SKETCH    OF    CAPTAIN    WALKER.  63 

the  mountains,  were  deceived  by  false  information,  reduced  to 
the  extremities  of  hunger  aqd  thirst,  and  finally  recaptured  by 
straggling  parties.  They  were  again  taken  to  Salado,  decimated 
by  order  of  the  commander,  Santa  Anna,  and  every  tenth  man  shot ! 

After  passing  through  some  and  escaping  others  of  the  misfor- 
tunes that  attended  this  expedition,  he  finally  escaped  from  the 
city  of  Mexico  in  company  with  eight  others.  This  expedition 
originally  consisted  of  two  hundred  and  sixty-one  men.  Of  these 
ten  were  killed  at.  the  battle  of  Meir,  and  six  others  subsequently 
died  of  wounds  received  there  ;  five  fell  at  the  attack  upon  the 
guard  at  Salado,  seventeen  were  shot  at  the  decimation,  five  died 
in  the  mountains,  thirty-five  died  of  suffering  and  starvation  in 
Mexico,  eleven  were  released  through  the  intervention  of  ministers, 
eight  wounded  at  Meir  effected  their  escape,  and  the  remainder, 
of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one,  escaped  from  Mexico. 

Walker  then  joined  the  Texan  revenue  service,  and  was  an  effi- 
cient member.  But  when  the  army  of  occupation  entered  the 
country  on  its  way  to  Corpus  Christi  and  Point  Isabel,  he  joined 
the  forces  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  partisan  rangers.  Upon  ar- 
riving at  the  place  of  destination,  he  was  placed  between  Point 
Isabel  and  tlie  camp  opposite  Matamoras,  to  keep  open  the  com- 
munication between  them.  Learning  from  the  teamsters  who  had 
started  out  from  Point  Isabel  with  stores  for  the  camp,  that  the 
road  was  obstructed  by  the  Mexicans,  so  that  they  were  obliged  to 
return.  Captain  Walker  started  out  on  the  morning  of  the  28th 
of  April,  with  his  whole  force,  about  seventy-five  men,  to  recon- 
noitre, and  if  possible  open  a  communication  with  General  Taylor. 

He  had  proceeded  about  twelve  miles,  when  he  fell  in  with  a 
large  body  of  Mexicans,  supposed  to  be  fifteen  hundred  in  number. 
They  appeared  very  suddenly.  A  portion  of  Captain  Walker's 
troops  were  raw ;  these  he  instructed  to  keep  on  his  right,  and  gave 
orders  to  the  whole  to  retire  under  cover  of  a  chaparral.  But  his 
raw  troops,  panic-stricken,  scattered  in  confusion.  An  engage- 
ment, however,  ensued,  which  lasted  fifteen  minutes,  in  which 
thirty  at  least  of  the  enemy  fell,  as  is  supposed.  Captain  Walker 
was  forced  to  retreat  from  the  overwhelming  force  that  advanced 
upon  him.     The  enemy  pursued  him  till  within  range  of  our  guns 


64  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

at  Point  Isabel,  when  they  in  turn  retreated.  Captain  Walker's 
loss  has  never  been  officially  stated. 

Captain  Walker  reached  the  depot  on  the  same  day  at  night,  and 
so  far  from  being  deterred  by  the  disaster  he  had  met  with,  instant- 
ly volunteered,  if  four  men  would  join  him,  to  proceed  to  General 
Taylor's  camp  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  acquaint  him  with  the  situa- 
tion of  affairs  at  Point  Isabel,  and  bring  back  any  orders  he  might 
intrust  him  with.  A  communication  with  General  Taylor  at  this 
time  was  the  more  necessary,  as  Major  Munroe  for  two  days  had 
been  expecting  an  attack  on  the  post  of  Point  Isabel,  which  he 
commanded  ;  and  as  the  transit  of  stores  or  intelligence  had  been 
interrupted  for  three  days,  it  was  highly  important  that  the  com- 
mander should  be  apprized  of  the  situation  of  affairs,  in  order  that  he 
might  take  any  measures  he  might  think  proper  in  the  emergency. 

Major  Munroe  accepted  the  offer  of  Captain  Walker,  and  the  re- 
quired number,  with  two  additional,  bravely  volunteered  to  accompa- 
ny him.  The  enterprise  was  considered  a  very  hazardous,  almost 
fool-hardy  one,  but  they  set  out  on  the  next  morning,  April  29th. 
They  reached  Gen.  Taylor's  camp  the  next  day,  and  were  the  first  to 
acquaint  the  commander  of  the  situation  of  affairs  at  Point  Isabel ; 
and  he  set  out  the  next  day  with  his  army  to  open  communication. 

On  the  field  of  Palo  AUo,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  account  of  that 
battle,  he  took  an  active  part  in  repulsing  the  movement  of  the 
Mexican  cavalry  on  our  right,  in  connection  with  the  fifth  infantry, 
and  a  section  of  Major  Ringgold's  battery  under  Lieutenant  Ridg- 
ley.  Also  in  the  engagement  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma  he  did  valu- 
able service,  for  an  account  of  which  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
details  of  that  battle.  General  Taylor,  in  his  dispatch,  says  :  "  In 
this  connection  I  would  mention  the  services  of  Captain  Walker, 
of  the  Texas  rangers,  who  was  in  both  affairs,  with  his  company, 
and  who  has  performed  very  meritorious  services  as  a  spy  and 
partisan."  For  his  gallantry  on  the  Rio  Grande  Walker  has  been 
appointed  captain  in  the  United  States  army. 

After  the  capture  of  Matamoras,  Captain  Walker  was  sent  out 
with  a  company  of  dragoons  to  observe  the  Mexican  army  on  their 
retreat.  In  this  scout  he  had  a  skirmish  with  the  vanguard  of  the 
enemy,  in  which  he  killed  several,  and  took  twenty-five  prisoners. 


SKETCH    OF    CAPTAIN    MAY.  65 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Captain  May,  and  Lieutenant  Ridgley. 

Captain  C.  A.  May  is  an  officer  of  intrepid  valor,  and  in  the 
engagements  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palraa  he  rendered 
valuable  service  to  our  cause,  in  the  last  of  which  battles  he  cao- 
tared  La  Vega,  one  of  the  Mexican  generals,  in  almost  as  hazard- 
ous a  position  as  he  secured  Philip,  a  Seminole  chief,  in  the 
Florida  war.  Previous  to  the  collision  of  the  two  armies  he  was 
stationed  at  Point  Isabel,  and  made  himself  useful  in  reconnoitring 
the  enemy,  and  actually  passed  round  the  Mexican  camp  on  the 
4th  with  his  squadron,  while  on  the  field  of  Palo  Alto. 

General  Taylor  left  Point  Isabel  with  his  whole  army  on  the  7th 
May,  and  bivouacked  seven  miles  distant  that  night.  The  next  day, 
after  proceeding  about  five  miles,  the  Mexican  forces  appeared  in 
view,  in  large  numbers,  and  at  one  o'clock  the  line  of  battle  was 
formed  on  the  field  of  Palo  Alto.  Captain  May's  regiment  was 
posted  on  the  right.  Captain  M.'s  squadron  under  the  immediate 
orders  of  the  general  commanding,  and  subsequently  detached  to 
support  Captain  Duncan's  battery,  which  had  been  thrown  forward 
in  advance  of  the  line,  and  was  doing  good  execution.  We,  how- 
ever, subjoin  Captain  May's  report,  which  describes  the  part  he 
took,  though  modestly  stated,  in  both  engagements. 

Dragoon  Camp,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,      >      ^ 

On  the  battle-ground.  May  \Qth,  1846.  J 

"  Sir, — Having  been  detached  from  the  head-quarters  of  my 
regiment  with  my  squadron,  and  acting  under  the  immediate  orders 
of  the  commanding-general  during  the  actions  of  the  8th  and  9th 
instant,  it  becomes  my  duty  to  report  the  services  which  the  squad- 
ron I  had  the  honor  to  command  rendered  during  these  actions. 

"  You  are  aware  that  my  first  orders  on  the  8th  were  to  strengthen 
the  left  flank  of  the  army  and  sustain  Captain  Duncan's  battery ; 
in  this  position  I  lost  two  horses  killed  and  two  wounded. 

"  About  half  an  hour  before  sunset  I  received  orders  to  proceed 

9 


66  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR 

to  the  enemy's  left  flank  and  drive  in  his  cavalry.  In  execution 
of  these  orders,  and  while  passing  the  General  and  his  staff,  the 
enemy  concentrated  the  fire  from  their  batteries  upon  us,  killing  six 
of  my  horses  and  wounding  five  men.  I  succeeded  in  gaining  a 
position  on  the  enemy's  left  with  a  view  of  charging  his  cavalry, 
but  found  him  in  such  force  as  to  render  ineflfectual  a  charge  from 
my  small  command,  and  therefore  returned,  in  obedience  to  my  in- 
structions, to  my  first  position,  where  I  remained  until  the  close  of 
the  action,  which  terminated  very  shortly  afterwards.  Thus  ended 
the  service  of  my  squadron  on  the  8th. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  9th  my  squadron  was  actively  employed 
in  reconnoitring  the  chaparral  in  advance  of  the  field  of  the  8th, 
and  on  the  advance  of  the  array  I  took  my  position  as  the  advance- 
guard.  When  about  half  a  mile  from  the  position  which  the  ene- 
my were  reported  to  have  taken,  I  was  ordered  to  halt  and  allow 
the  artillery  and  infantry  to  pass,  and  await  further  orders.  I  re- 
mained in  this  position  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  when  I  re- 
ceived orders  to  report  with  my  squadron  to  the  General.  I  did  so, 
and  was  ordered  by  the  General  to  charge  the  enemy's  batteries 
and  drive  them  from  their  pieces,  which  was  rapidly  executed,  with 
loss  of  Lieutenant  Inge,  seven  privates,  and  eighteen  horses  killed, 
and  Sergeant  Muley,  nine  privates,  and  ten  horses  wounded.  Lieu- 
tenant Sackett  and  Sergeant  Story,  in  the  front  by  my  side,  had 
their  horses  killed  under  them,  and  Lieutenant  Inge  was  gallantly 
leading  his  platoon  when  he  fell.  We  charged  entirely  through  the 
enemy's  batteries  of  seven  pieces — Captain  Graham,  accompanied 
by  Lieutenants  Winship  and  Pleasanton,  leading  the  charge  against 
the  pieces  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  myself,  accompanied  by 
Lieutenants  Inge,  Stevens,  and  Sackett,  those  on  the  direct  road, 
and  gained  the  rising  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine. 
The  charge  was  made  under  a  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries, 
which  accounts  for  my  great  loss.  After  gaining  the  rising  ground 
in  the  rear  I  could  rally  but  six  men,  and  with  these  I  charged 
their  gunners,  who  had  regained  their  pieces,  drove  them  off,  and 
took  prisoner  General  Vega,  whom  I  found  gallantly  fighting  in 
person  at  his  battery.  I  ordered  him  to  surrender,  and  on  recog- 
nising me  as  an  officer,  he  handed  me  his  sword.     I  brought  him, 


SKETCH    OP    CAPTAIN    MAY.  67 

under  a  heavy  fire  of  their  infantry,  to  our  lines,  accompanied  by 
Lieutenant  Stevens  and  a  sergeant  of  my  squadron,  I  then  direct- 
ed Lieutenant  Stevens  to  conduct  him  in  safety  to  our  rear,  and 
present  his  sword  to  the  commanding  general. 

"  From  this  time  until  the  enemy  vi^ere  routed,  I  was  engaged  in 
collecting  my  men,  who  had  become  scattered  in  our  Hnes.  J  suc- 
ceeded in  assembling  half  of  my  squadron,  and  joined  the  army  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  until  he  crossed  the  Rio  Grande,  from  which 
I  returned  to  camp. 

"  I  cannot  speak  in  terms  of  sufircient  praise  of  the  steadiness 
and  gallantry  of  the  officers  and  men  of  my  command.  They  all 
behaved  with  that  spirit  of  courage  and  noble  daring  which  distin- 
guished the  whole  array  in  this  memorable  action,  and  achieved  the 
most  brilliant  victory  of  the  age, 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

"C.  A.  May, 

"  Captain  2d  Dragoons,  commanding  2d  squadron. 
"  Lieutenant  McDcnald,  Adjutant  2d  Dragoons." 

For  the  personal  history  of  Captain  May  we  have  scanty  mate- 
rial. He  is  a  native  of  the  city  of  Washington,  son  of  Dr.  May  of 
that  place.  "  On  organizing  the  second  regiment  of  dragoons, 
during  General  Jackson's  administration,  he  was  among  those  who, 
from  civil  life,  received  a  commission  as  lieutenant  in  the  corps, 
and  was  ordered  to  Florida,  where  the  regiment  was  subjected  to 
severe  active  service  against  the  Seminoles,  and  the  lieutenant  was 
intrusted  with  many  responsible  duties.  One  of  those  led  him  into 
a  personal  rencontre  with  the  celebrated  chief  of  the  tribe,  Philip, 
whose  camp  a  charge  was  made  upon,  and  who  was  knocked  down 
and  secured  by  Lieutenant  May,  at  the  moment  he  was  raising  his 
rifle  to  shoot  the  daring  young  officer." 

An  anecdote  is  related,  for  the  occurrence  of  which  we  cannot 
vouch  :  On  the  9th,  when  the  charge  was  about  to  be  made  on  the 
Mexican  battery,  General  Taylor,  in  passing  his  lines,  accosted 
Captain  May. 

"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  your  CQmmand  has  done  nothing  yet.  You 
must  take  that  battery." 


68  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

"  Men,"  said  Captain  May,  "  wc  must  take  that  battery  ! 
Charge  !" 

The  result  is  known.  He  was  mounted  on  his  favorite  charger, 
"  Tom,"  the  same  on  wliich  he  made  the  charge  upon  Phihp's 
camp,  and  who  now  received  a  severe  wound.  The  second  dra- 
goons at  the  cliargc  comprised  seventy  men  and  ofTiccrs,  of  wdiom 
nine  were  killed  and  eleven  wounded  ;  and  of  the  horses,  twenty- 
six  were  killed  and  ten  wounded. 

Having  made  the  charge,  they  rode  over  the  battery,  wheeled 
and  came  through  the  enemy's  lines,  while  the  fire  of  the  infantry 
was  so  deadly  in  its  effect  as  to  carry  all  before  it.  Captain  May 
made  a  cut  at  an  officer  as  he  charged  through,  and  on  returning? 
he  found  him  standing  between  the  cannon  wheels,  fighting  like  a 
hero.  He  ordered  him  to  surrender.  He  inquired  if  he  was  an 
officer.  Captain  May  answered  him  in  the  afi'irmative,  when  he 
presented  his  sword,  saying,  "  You  receive  General  Vega  a  pris- 
oner of  war." 

Captain  May  is  represented  as  presenting  a  very  whimsical  and 
eccentric  appearance — "  with  a  beard  extending  to  his  breast,  and 
hair  to  his  shoulders,  which,  as  he  cuts  through  the  wind  on  his 
chai'ger,  streams  out  in  all  directions.  His  gait  on  foot  is  awkward, 
and  that  of  his  horse  (an  immense  one)  is  the  rack  of  a  Canadian 
pony." 


»  LIEUTENANT  RIDGLEY. 

Randolph  Ridgley  is  a  Marylander,  and  son  of  General 
Charles  Sterrct  Ridgley,  of  Elkridgc,  Anne  Arundel  county,  Ma- 
ryland. He  belongs  to  the  third  artillery,  and  in  the  battle  of  the 
9th  May  did  most  valuable  service  with  his  light-artillery  battery, 
commanded,  before  he  fell,  by  Major  Ringgold.  The  manner  in 
which  he  took  his  battery  into  action  on  the  commencement  of 
that  battle,  and  the  skill  and  bravery  with  which  he  managed  it, 
raised  him  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  army. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  action  on  the  8th,  after  having  ad- 
vanced to  within  six  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  lines,  and  open- 


SKETCH    OF    LIEUT,    RIDGLEY.  6d 

ing  his  battery  with  dreadful  execution,  Lieutenant  Ridgley  was 
detached  from  Major  Ringgold  with  a  section,  consisting  of  two 
pieces,  to  operate  with  the  fifth  infantry,  which  had  been  sent  for- 
ward to  oppose  a  flank  movement  of  the  enemy  making  on  the 
right  of  our  army.  He  had  already  lost  one  man  and  two  horses. 
Upon  taking  his  position  on  the  right  of  the  fifth,  who  were  in 
square,  he  at  once  unlimbered  and  commenced  firing.  The  effect 
of  his  fire  was  tremendous,  and  he  very  shortly  saw  the  enemy's 
artillery  and  cavalry,  which  was  in  large  force,  particularly  the  lat- 
ter, retiring.  His  fire  proved  effective  in  frustrating  this  grand 
movement  of  the  enemy.  Brevet  second-lieutenant  French  had 
the  immediate  charge  of  one  of  the  pieces.  Lieutenant  Ridgley 
continued  changing  his  position  from  point  to  point  mitil  dark, 
when  he  encamped,  and  then  learned  the  melancholy  intelligence 
that  Major  Ringgold  had  been  mortally  wounded. 

The  engagement  of  the  9th  on  the  field  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma 
was  opened  upon  our  side  by  Lieutenant  Ridgley's  battery.  He 
was  ordered  to  the  front  with  his  battery,  and  Captain  Walker  with 
his  rangers  was  sent  to  point  out  the  exact  position.  After  moving 
very  cautiously  for  a  short  distance.  Lieutenant  Ridgley  discovered 
the  Mexicans  about  four  hundred  yards  in  advance  in  the  road,  and 
almost  instantly  their  artillery  opened.  He  then  moved  rapidly  to 
the  front  for  about  one  hundred  yards  and  returned  their  fire,  which 
was  kept  up  very  spiritedly  on  both  sides  for  some  time, -the  two 
batteries  firing  canister  and  grape  at  each  other  when  not  more 
than  one  hundred  yards  apart. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy's  fire  slackened,  Lieutenant  Ridgley  lim- 
bered up  and  moved  rapidly  forward,  never  unlimbering  unless 
seeing  them  in  front,  or  perceiving  from  the  fire  of  their  infantry 
they  were  on  his  flanks.  After  having  advanced  in  this  manner 
about  five  hundred  yards.  Captain  May,  second  dragoons,  rode  up, 
and  said  to  Lieutenant  Ridgley,  "  Where  are  they  ?  I  am  going 
to  charge."  Lieutenant  Ridgley  gave  them  a  volley  to  point  the 
way,  and  Captain  May  dashed  gallantly  forward,  in  columns  of 
fours,  at  the  head  of  his  squadron.  Lieutenant  Ridgley  followed 
quickly  at  a  gallop,  only  halting  when  he  came  upon  the  edge  of  a 
ravine,  where  he  found  three  pieces  of  artillery,  hut  no  cannoniers ; 


70  LIFE    OF   GENERAL   TAYLOR. 

however,  their  infantry  poured  into  him  a  galling  fire  at  from 
twenty-five  to  fifty  paces  ;  and  hero  ensued  a  most  desperate 
struggle,  but  our  infantry  coming  up  they  were  completely  routed. 
Tiieir  cavalry  came  so  near  that  at  one  time  Lieutenant  Ridgley 
cut  at  them  with  his  sabre. 

On  the  occasion  we  have  just  related.  Lieutenant  Ridgley's  com- 
pany was  the  only  artiller)^  used,  but  were  sadly  deficient  in  men^ 
so  that  the  officers,  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  engagement, 
and  always  when  closely  pressed,  had  to  perform  the  duties  of  not 
only  one  but  two  cannonicrs,  handling  tlieir  own  shot  and  firing 
their  own  pieces. 

For  his  gallantry  in  these  engagements  the  citizens  of  Howard 
District,  Maryland,  forwarded  to  Lieutenant  Ridgley  an  elegant 
sword.  He  has  also  been  appointed  assistant  adjutant-generaU 
with  brevet  rank  of  captain. 


LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  71 


CHAPTER   X. 

Movement  of  the  Army  of  Occupation  from  Corpus  Christi. — All  matters  connected 
with  the  Campaign  to  the  time  of  the  enemy's  crossing. 

In  September  General  Taylor  established  his  head-quarters  at 
Corpus  Christi.  But  this  was  intended  as  a  temporary  rendezvous, 
as  the  position  is  far  in  the  rear  of  the  legitimate  boundary  of 
Texas,  but  -a  permanent  depot  was  calculated  upon  as  advantage- 
ous and  secure,  as  its  distance  from  the  Rio  Grande  was  a  security 
against  surprise  by  any  hostile  movement  of  the  Mexicans,  while 
its  location  on  the  sea-shore  furnished  the  best  facilities  for  the  dis- 
embarking of  troops  and  landing  munitions  of  war. 

Remaining  here  nearly  six  months,  during  which  time  some 
regiments  of  regular  troops  were  received.  General  Taylor  sent 
scouts  forward  to  the  Rio  Grande  to  make  discovery  of  a  suitable 
position  for  encamping  the  army  permanently.  These  scouts  re- 
turned in  the  latter  part  of  February,  and  reported  favorably  with 
regard  to  Point  Isabel  as  a  place  for  a  general  depot. 

In  the  fore  part  of  March,  the  army  began  to  move  from  Corpus 
Christi  for  the  Rio  Grande,  and  on  the  8th  of  this  month  General 
Taylor  issued  his  proclamation  and  orders  concerning  his  evacua- 
tion of  the  present  encampment.  The  distance  to  be  accomplished 
was  one  hundred  and  nineteen  miles,  which,  owing  to  the  swampy 
state  of  the  country,  was  a  task  of  considerable  hardship,  at  a  sea- 
son of  the  year  too  when  the  alluvial  soil  was  completely  saturated 
with  water.  Two  reconnoitring  detachments,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Hardee  and  Lieutenant  Hamilton,  preceded  the  movement. 
They  approached  the  Rio  Grande  opposite  Brazos  Santiago,  via 
Isla  del  Padre,  the  other  by  the  old  Matamoras  road,  near  Sal 
Colorado. 

General  Mejia,  in  command  at  Matamoras,  on  hearing  of  their 
approach,  mustered  every  soldier  there,  and  crossed  the  Rio  Grande 
in  person,  under  the  impression  that  he  should  meet  the  advance 
of  the  army.     He  marched  as  far  as  the  Colorado  creek,  with  all 


iZ  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

possible  dispatch,  having  under  his  command  about  seven  liundred 
and  fifty  men,  when,  now  sixty  or  seventy  miles  from  Malamoras, 
lie  learned  these  detachments  had  returned  to  the  camp  at  Corpus 
Christi.  His  rage  may  be  imagined,  and  is  described  in  a  letter 
from  Matamoras  as  excessive,  and  beyond  bounds,  he  having  ex- 
pected to  win  a  wreath  of  laurels  before  his  return.  Tiie  Mexi- 
can force  at  this  time  on  the  frontier  was  about  two  tiiousand  sol- 
diers and  five  hundred  rancheros  ;  under  Generals  Canales,  Mcjia, 
Garcia,  Saveriego,  and  La  Vega.  General  Garcia  was  stationed 
at  Point  Isabel,  with  about  two  hundred  and  eighty  men,  mostly 
infantry  and  artillery. 

General  Taylor  advanced  ahead  of  his  army,  with  a  company  of 
dragoons  under  Colonel  Twiggs,  and  reached  Point  Isabel  on  the 
24lh  of  March,  the  fleet  of  transports  arriving  at  the  same  time. 
Isabel  is  a  bluff  or  promontory  of  sixty  feet  elevation,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  a  few  miles  below  the  Mexican  city  of 
Matamoras,  which  is  situated  upon  the  southern  side  of  that  river. 
When  near  Point  Isabel  with  the  dragoons.  General  Taylor  was 
met  by  thirty  or  forty  men,  bearing  a  proclamation  and  message 
from  General  Mejia,  protesting  against  invasion,  and  gasconading 
of  defence.  At  the  same  moment,  the  conflagration  of  the  custom- 
house, and  several  buildings  at  Point  Isabel,  which  Rodriguez,  the 
commandant,  had  set  fire  to  on  the  approach  of  the  fleet  of  trans- 
ports, was  discovered.  General  Taylor  dismissed  the  deputation, 
informing  them  that  he  would  reply  to  General  Mejia  in  four  days, 
opposite  to  Matamoras.  Rodriguez  was  pursued  some  ^ distance, 
but  made  good  his  retreat  to  the  river. 

On  the  26th,  General  Taylor  set  out  from  Point  Isabel,  leaving 
one  company  of  artillery  under  command  of  Major  Muriroe,  and 
proceeded  for  the  army  opposite  ^Matamoras,  a  distance  of  twenty- 
eight  miles,  arriving  the  next  day.  On  the  28th  March,  the  forces, 
numbering  about  three  thousand  five  hundred,  encamped,  while  the 
Mexicans  were  drawn  up  upon  the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream, 
making  a  great  display  of  martial  music,  trumpets,  flags,  etc.,  which 
music  was  responded  to  from  the  American  lines,  so  as  to  be  distinctly 
iicard,  for  the  distance  was  not  above  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards. 

On  the  next  morning,  the  American  troops  discovered  the  Mexi- 


GENERAL   EVENTS.  73 

can  artillery  of  eighteen-pounders  lining  the  opposite  bank,  and 
pointing  directly  into  their  camp.  Of  this  battery,  General  Taylor 
took  no  notice. 

Matters  remained  thus  for  several  days,  the  Mexicans  manifest- 
.ing  great  anger,  but  no  open  assault.  Upon  one  occasion,  General 
Worth  crossed  the  river  with  a  dispatch  from  General  Taylor,  but 
they  would  not  permit  him  to  enter  the  town,  nor  would  General 
Mejia  receive  him,  but  sent  one  of  his  officers,  with  the  message 
that  he  would  not  receive  personally  any  officer  but  the  command- 
ing-general himself.  General  Worth  did  not  deliver  the  dispatch. 
In  this  interview  General  Worth  made  General  de  la  Vega  the 
following  terse  reply  :  "  It  is  an  easy  matter  for  Mexico  to  deter- 
mine when  and  where  the  war  shall  commence,  but  it  would  re- 
main for  the  United  States  to  determine  when  and  where  it  should 
terminate." 

On  the  11th  of  April  General  Ampudia  marched  into  Matamoras 
with  one  thousand  cavalry  and  fifteen  hundred  infantry  ;  and  on 
the  next  day  he  notified  General  TSylor  to  break  up  his  camp 
within  twenty-four  hours,  and  retire  to  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
Nueces.  This  notification  was  of  a  threatening  character,  and  was 
regarded  by  General  Taylor  as  of  a  belligerent  nature.  He  ac- 
cordingly instructed  the  military  commander  at  the  Brazos  to  con- 
sider the  Mexican  army  as  in  a  hostile  attitude.  Two  Mexican 
vessels  from  New  Orleans  were  daily  expected  to  arrive  with  stores 
and  supplies  for  the  troops  at  Matamoras,  and  General  Taylor  or- 
dered the  commander  at  Brazos  to  seize  them  when  they  reached 
that  place. 

To  the  notification  of  General  Ampudia,  General  Taylor  replied, 
that  he  had  been  instructed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 
to  occupy  the  territory  east  of  the  Rio  Grande.  He  came  there, 
he  said,  without  any  hostile  intention,  either  towards  the  govern- 
ment or  the  people  of  Mexico,  but  any  attempt  to  dislodge  him  would 
be  repelled  by  force ;  and  furthermore,  that  if  General  Ampudia 
attempted  to  cross  the  river,  it  would  be  considered  a  hostile  act, 
and  resisted  as  such. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  inhabitants  upon  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  crossed  over  to  Matamoras,  from  the  representations  made 

10 


74  LIFE    OF    OFNER.VL    TAYLOR. 

by  the  Mexican  olVieors  that  the  American  arniv  would  incvitaoly 
be  destroyed,  and  that  they  would  share  the  same  fate,  but  this  did 
not  pi-evenl  the  army  being  abundantly  supplied  wiili  provisions, 
for  there  were  facilities  ot"  procuring  them  when  they  were  not 
furnished  from  tlie  other  side. 

The  American  army  experienced  considerable  annoyance  from 
the  great  number  of  desertions  that  took  place,  and  so  short  was 
the  distance  to  the  enemy's  camp,  that  they  could  elloct  their  inten- 
lioi\s  with  great  ease  and  safety,  and  escape  beyond  the  possibility 
of  capture.  The  most  tVequent  mode  was  by  swinuning  the  stream. 
Several  attempts  had  been  made  to  put  a  stop  to  this  business 
without  etVcct,  when  it  was  resolved  to  resort  to  the  last  and  dis- 
agreeable ahernative  of  shooting  such  as  should  attempt  to  escape, 
if  other  meaais  failed.  Among  those  that  next  made  tlie  attempt  to 
swim  the  river,  two  were  killed  by  the  picket,  and  this  cirectuallv 
put  a  stop  to  desertions. 

luMieral  Taylor  set  about  erecting  ramparts  and  trausses,  cm- 
ploying  titteen  hundred  men  constantly,  to  render  his  position  se- 
cure ag^ainst  an  attacking  force.  One  regiment  was  also  kept  dav 
and  night  on  the  move,  guaixiing  the  crossings  of  the  river,  from 
indications,  it  appearing  evident  iJiat  the  Mexicans  entertained  the 
idea  of  conuueucmg  hostilities  in  some  shape.  On  the  ICth  a  pri- 
soner was  taken  by  the  picket,  who  stated  ujkmi  questionij»g.  tliat 
the  Mexicans  were^  going  to  cress  the  river  at  a  certain  p^vint  on  the 
next  day.  GenenU  Taylor  sent  a  detachment  of  troops  to  the 
foaling  early  the  next  morning. 

About  this  time  tJie  camp  w-;\s  thrown  into  consternation  and 
gloom  at  the  sudden  disappearance  of  Colonel  Cress,  United  States 
quartermaster-gvneral.  Troops  were  sei\t  out  at  once,  and  all  ex- 
ertions made  to  ascertain  his  tate  ;  but,  until  twelve  days  had  ex- 
pii-evU  it  was  genendly  pre^sumed  that  lie  had  been  taken  prisoner 
and  was  in  safety.  At  the  end  of  that  pori«.xl,  he  was  found  where 
he  had  been  nuirviered,  prebably  by  a  Ivuid  of  rancheros.  This 
was  the  first  life  lost  in  the  Army  of  Occupation,  and  was  soon 
followed  by  tlie  attack  upon  and  killing  of  Lieutenaiit  Porter  and 
Uiree  otlien?.  Lieutenant  Porter  had  gone  wiili  a  parly  of  twelve 
men  to  rccouuoilxe,  when,  on  tlie  thial  day,  he  was  attacked  by  a 


MEAHURES    OF    DEFENCE.  75 

parly  of  Mexicans,  fired  upon  and  killed.  On  iho  next  morn- 
ing, a  Iroop  of  llnrly  dragoons  was  dispatclicd  to  llie  .spot,  but  liis 
body,  or  those  of  lii.s  coniradc^s,  two  in  iuutil)cr,  could  iiot  be  found, 
l.ieutenant  Porter  was  of  the  3d  legiinenl  of  infantry,  son  of  the 
late  ('oninio(h)re  Porter,  and  had  but  recently  been  married  to  a 
(laughter  of  Major  JJenjaniin  Lloyd  JJeall,  late  commander  of  Fort 
Washita,  where  he  had  left  his  lady. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  (General  Taylor  explains 
the  slate  of  his  defences  and  iht;  position  of  afTairs  on  the  25111 
A |)ril,  prior  to  tiie  attack  of  the  Mexicans  upon  Captains  Jfardcc 
and  Thornton  : 

"  Strong  guards  of  foot  and  mounted  men  arc  established  on  the 
m;ugin  of  the  river,  and  thus  cflicicnt  means  have  l)ecn  adoi)ted  on 
our  part  to  prevent  all  intercourse.     While  opposite  to  us  their 
pickets  extend  above  and  below  for  several  miles,  we  are  e(iually 
active  in  keeping  up  a  strong  and  vigilant  guard  to  prevent  surprise, 
or  attacks  under  disadvantageous  circumstances.     Tiiis  is  tlic  more 
necessary,  while  wc  arc  to  act  on  the  defensive,  and  they  are  at 
lilxnly  to  take  the  opposite  course  whenever  they  think  proper  to 
do  so.     Nor  have  we  been  idle  in  other  respects  ;  we  have  a  field- 
work   under  way,  besides  liaving  erected  a  strong  battery,  and  a 
number  of  Iniildings  for  the  security  of  our  »uj)plies,  in  addition  to 
some  respectable  works  for  their  i)rotection.     We  have  mounted  a 
respectable  battery,  four  pieces  of  which  arc  long  cighlecn-j>ound- 
crs,  with  which  we  could  batter  or  burn  down  the  city  of  Mala- 
moras  shoidd  it  become  necessary  to  do  so.     When  our  field-work 
is  completed — which  will  soon  be  the  case— and  mounted  with  its 
|)rop(;r  armament,  five  hundred  men  could  hold  it  against  as  many 
thousand  Mexicans.     During  the  twenty-seven  days  since  our  arri- 
val here,  a  most  singular  stale  of  things  has  prevailed  all  through 
the  outlines  of  the  two  armies,  which,  to  a  certain  extent,  have  all 
the  feelings  as  if  there  were  actual  war. 

"  Fronting  each  other,  for  an  extent  of  more  than  two  miles,  and 
within  musket  range,  are  batteries  shotted,  and  the  (^fliccrs  and 
men,  in  many  instances,  waiting  impatiently  for  orders  to  apply  the 
matches  ;  yet  notliing  has  been  done  to  provoke  the  firing  oi  a  gun 
or  any  act  of  violence. 


76  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

"  Matamoras,  at  the  distance  we  are  now  from  it,  appears  to  cover 
a  large  extent  of  ground,  with  some  handsome  buildings,  but  I 
would  imagine  the  greater  portion  of  them  to  be  indifferent  one- 
story  houses'  with  roofs  of  straw,  and  walls  of  mud  or  unburnt 
brick.  During  peace  the  population  is  said  to  be  five  or  six  thou- 
sand, but  it  is  now  filled  to  overflowing  with  troops.  Report  says 
from  five  to  ten  thousand  of  all  sorts,  regular  and  militia.  The 
number,  I  presume,  is  very  much  overrated. 


(( 


P.  S. — Since  writing  the  above  an  engagement  has  taken  place 
between  a  detachment  of  our  cavalry  and  the  Mexicans,  in  which 
we  are  worsted.  So  the  war  has  actually  commenced,  and  the 
hardest  must  fend  off. 

"Yours,  &c. 

"  Z.  Taylor.'" 


GENERAL   EVENTS.  77 


CHAPTER    XL 

Captain  Thornton's  Expedition. — Principal  Events  to  the  leaving  of  General  Taylor 
for  Point  Isabel. — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown. 

In  ihe  last  chapter  we  made  allusion  to  intelligence  being  re- 
ceived, through  a  prisoner,  that  the  Mexicans  w^ere  about  to  cross 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  that  a  squadron  of  dragoons  w^as  ordered  to 
proceed  to  the  spot.  The  prisoner  was  to  act  as  guide.  On  the 
same  day  General  Taylor's  spies  brought  in  news  that  a  large  body 
of  Mexicans  had  crossed  the  river  to  the  Texas  side,  above  the 
American  fort,  and  that  about  fifteen  hundred  had  also  crossed  be- 
low. The  squadron  of  dragoons  under  the  guidance  of  the  Mexi- 
can prisoner  was  commanded  by  Captain  Thornton,  and  sent  to  the 
crossing  above  the  camp,  while  Captain  Kerr  was  dispatched  with 
a  squadron  below  ;  both  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring  the  ene- 
my's position. 

Captain  Thornton's  command  consisted  of  Captain  Hardee, 
Lieutenants  Kane  and  Mason,  with  sixty-one  privates  and  non- 
commissioned officers.  They  had  proceeded  about  twenty-six 
miles,  and  to  within  a  mile  or  two  of  the  Mexican  camp,  when  they 
were  surprised  and  surrounded  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  who 
commenced  firing  upon  them.  Lieutenant  George  Mason,  with 
nine  men,  were  killed,  and  two  wounded.  Captains  Thornton  and 
Hardee,  and  Lieutenant  Kane,  escaped,  and  subsequently  surren- 
dered themselves  with  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates 
prisoners  of  war. 

It  was  now  certain  that  the  Mexicans  had  crossed  the  Rio  Grande 
in  large  numbers,  and  for  the  purpose  of  ejecting  the  American 
army  from  the  position  it  had  assumed.  General  Taylor,  therefore, 
immediately  subsequent  to  the  attack  upon  Thornton's  command, 
advised  the  department  at  Washington  that  hostilities  had  com- 
menced, and  dispatched  a  messenger  with  requisitions  upon  the 
governors  of  Texas  and  Louisiana  for  volunteers — upon  the  former 
for  twenty  companies  of  foot  riflemen,  and  upon  the  latter  for  four 
regiments  of  infantry. 


78  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

General  Arista  liad  superseded  Ampudia  in  the  command  of  the 
Mexican  forces,  and  it  was  upon  this  change  that  the  first  act  of 
violation  was  committed  by  them  ;  he  having  previously,  however, 
notified  General  Taylor  that  he  "  considered  hostihties  had  com- 
menced, and  he  should  prosecute  them," 

From  the  capture  of  Thornton's  command  all  communication 
was  cut  off  from  Point  Isabel  with  General  Taylor's  camp  for  three 
days.  This  was  a  most  serious  misfortune,  as  the  entire  stores  of 
the  army,  with  tlie  exception  of  eight  days'  rations  at  the  camp,  op 
posite  Matamoras,  were  at  this  place,  and  the  prospect  of  re-estab- 
lisliing  a  communication  was  most  discouraging,  so  large  a  body  of 
Mexican  troops,  under  Arista  himself,  had  been  interposed  with 
this  especial  object  in  view,  as  was  probable,  (and  which  after- 
wards appeared  by  Arista's  dispatches.) 

Point  Isabel  was  also  daily  in  expectation  of  being  attacked. 
Major  Munroe  commanded  here  with  a  force  of  four  hundred  and 
fifty  men.  The  ordnance  consisted  of  sixteen  brass  six-pounders, 
two  long  eighteen,  and  two  ship's  guns  for  artillery.  The  supply 
of  powder  and  balls  of  all  kinds  was  ample,  and  provisions  and 
water  in  abundance,  so  that  it  was  calculated  an  opposing  force  of 
four  times  their  number  could  be  successfully  resisted  for  any 
length  of  time.  In  addition,  the  masters  and  crews  of  vessels  in 
the  harbor  volunteered,  and  mustered  to  the  number  of  five  hun- 
dred men,  went  ashore,  and  remained  under  arms. 

On  the  28th,  Captain  Walker,  of  the  Texan  rangers  volunteers, 
left  his  camp  between  Point  Isabel  and  Matamoras  with  seventy- 
five  men,  to  reconnoitre,  having  learned  a  large  Mexican  force  was 
on  the  road.  He  encountered  one  thousand  five  hundred  Mexi- 
cans, (as  he  supposes,)  with  whom  he  had  an  engagement  of  fif- 
teen minutes.  On  his  return  to  Point  Isabel  he  volunteered  with 
almost  incredible  boldness  to  attempt  to  carry  a  communication  to 
General  Taylor  ;  and  on  the  29tli  he  set  out  with  four  men,  and 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  camp  of  the  commanding  general. 

General  Taylor's  situation  at  this  time  was  a  critical  one.  His 
supply  of  provisions  in  camp  was  sutficient  for  only  eight  days,  his 
stores  and  munitions  were  at  Point  Isabel,  twenty-seven  miles  dis- 
tant, and  all  communication,  between  the  camp  and  depot,  he  had 


DEFENCE    OP    FORT    BROWN.  79 

good  reason  to  believe,  had  been  closed  by  the  enemy.  Upon  the 
arrival  of  Captain  Walker,  therefore,  and  learning  the  state  of  af- 
fairs on  the  route,  he  resolved  to  set  out  in  person,  with  the  greater 
part  of  his  force,  and  endeavor  to  effect  a  transit  of  supplies.  He 
had  nearly  completed  his  defences  opposite  Matamoras.  The  citci' 
del  of  the  position,  an  irregular  hexagon,  with  bastioncd  fronts,  and 
a  capacity  to  receive  twelve  hundred  men,  though  it  might  be  de- 
fended with  five  hundred,  he  considered  sufficient  to  sustain  a 
regular  assault  for  at  least  ten  days  from  disciplined  troops  and 
scientific  approach  from  trenches.  Intrusting  the  works  to  the 
command  of  Major  Brown,  with  the  seventh  regiment  of  infantry 
under  Captain  Lowd,  and  two  companies  of  artillery  under  Lieu- 
tenant Braggs,  in  all  about  six  hundred  men,  General  Taylor  set 
out  with  the  remainder  of  his  force,  on  the  1st  day  of  May,  for 
Point  Isabel. 

So  soon  as  the  Mexican  commander  learned  that  a  large  part  of 
the  American  forces  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  fort  opposite 
Matamoras,  (now  Fort  Brown,)  he  opened  his  batteries  in  the  town 
with  seven  guns.  This  was  on  the  morning  of  the  3d  May.  The 
fire  was  promptly  responded  to  by  the  American  battery.  After 
a  brisk  fire  of  fifteen  minutes  from  the  eighteen-pounders,  the 
Mexican  fort  was  silenced,  two  of  their  guns  supposed  to  have 
been  dismounted. 

A  fire  was  then  commenced  from  the  Mexican  lower  fort,  and  a 
mortar  battery,  which  was  kept  up  without  intermission  until  half- 
past  seven  o'clock.  The  cannonade  from  these  positions  was  con- 
tinued occasionally  until  midnight,  during  which  time  the  Mexi- 
cans exhausted  some  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  shot,  but  with  very 
little  effect. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  May,  Major  Brown,  the  commanding 
officer,  was  mortally  wounded  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell,  while 
standing  near  Captain  Mansfield,  directing  the  operations  of  that 
corps  of  engineers. 

Upon  Major  Brown  receiving  the  wound  that  terminated  fatally, 
three  days  afterwards.  Captain  Hawkins,  of  the  seventh  infantry, 
assumed  command.  This  took  place  at  10  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  6lh,  and  large  mounted  parties  of  infantry  were  then  seen  in< 


80  LIFE    OP    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

the  rear.  Towards  evening  the  enemy  opened  fire  from  town 
witli  one  mortar,  and  with  two  mortars  from  the  rear  ;  and  at  half- 
past  10  o'clock,  some  infantry  crept  up  in  a  ravine  and  fired  mus- 
ketry, but  being  out  of  range,  the  fire  was  not  returned.  Lieuten- 
ant Bragg,  at  10  o'clock  the  next  moniing,  fired  several  rounds  of 
canister  from  his  battery  upon  parties  of  mounted  men  and  infantry 
that  seemed  to  surround  the  rear,  which  dispersed  them,  but 
brought  forth  a  shower  of  shells,  which  lasted  incessantly  until 
half-past  11  o'clock,  and  ceased.  Between  this  and  half-past  4 
P.  M.,  five  shells  were  thrown,  at  which  time  a  white  flag  was 
shown  at  some  old  buildings  in  the  rear,  and  a  parley  sounded  by 
the  enemy.  Two  Mexican  officers  advanced,  and  were  met  by 
two  of  Captain  Hawkins'  command,  who  received  and  took  to 
Captain  Hawkins  a  communication  from  General  Arista,  com- 
manding Hawkins  to  surrender  the  fort,  and  allowing  one  hour  to 
reply. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  this  document,  the  commander  of  Fort 
Brown  called  a  council  of  his  officers,  having  command  of  the  dif- 
ferent companies,  and  upon  consultation  agreed  unanimously  upon 
sending  the  following  reply  : 


Head  Quarters,  United  States  Forces, 
Near  Matamoras,  May  6,  1846,  3  o'clock,  p.  m 


:es,  ) 


"  Sir, — Your  humane  communication  has  just  been  received, 
and  after  the  consideration  due  to  its  importance,  I  must  respect- 
fully decline  to  surrender  my  forces  to  you. 

"  The  exact  purport  of  your  dispatch  I  cannot  feel  confident  that 
I  understand,  as  my  interpreter  is  not  skilled  in  your  language ; 
but  if  I  have  understood  you  correctly,  you  have  my  reply  above. 

*'  I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  E.  S.  Hawkins, 
"  Commaudiug  U.  S.  Forces  opposite  Matamoraa. 
"  General  M.  Arista, 
"  Commanding  Division  of  the  North." 

When  this  reply  was  received  by  the  Mexican  general,  he  opened 
his  batteries  with  a  continual  shower  of  shot  and  shells  until  sunset, 


BOMBARDMENT  OF  FORT  BROWN.  81 

when  it  ceased.  The  night  passed  quietly,  but  the  utmost  vigi- 
lance was  exercised  by  the  American  commander,  and  every  man 
was  kept  at  his  post,  as  it  was  confidently  expected  that  an  attack 
more  severe  than  the  others  would  be  made  in  the  morning.  At 
daylight  the  next  morning  the  enemy's  batteries  opened  with  shells, 
but  continued  but  a  short  time,  and  was  renewed  at  intervals,  with 
canister  and  grape,  until  half-past  two  o'clock,  p.  m.,  when  a  regu- 
lar bombardment  with  shot  and  shells,  from  a  howitzer  and  the 
mortars,  commenced,  and  was  kept  up  until  sunset. 

Dark  setting  in.  Captain  Mansfield,  of  the  Engineer  Corps,  was 
sent  out  with  one  hundred  men  to  level  the  traverse  thrown  up  by 
General  Worth  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  to  prevent  the  use  of  it 
by  the  enemy  to  fire  into  the  fort,  which  he  accomplished  by  mid- 
night, at  which  time  a  random  fire  of  musketry  commenced  all 
around,  which  lasted  until  daylight,  when  the  enemy's  batteries 
were  again  opened  with  shells  from  the  sand-bag  battery  and  from 
the  lower  fort. 

The  bombarding  was  kept  up  during  the  day  with  great  ferocity, 
some  part  of  the  time  mortars  being  at  play  upon  the  httle  fort 
from  the  north,  south,  and  west,  at  the  same  instant.  This  was 
the  8th  of  May,  and  at  half-past  two  o'clock  the  cannonading  from 
the  field  of  Palo  Alto  was  heard.  This  created  an  intense  excite- 
ment in  the  fort,  as  it  was  supposed  to  proceed  from  an  engage- 
ment between  the  Mexican  and  American  forces,  and  the  most 
alarming  results  were  feared,  from  the  known  superiority  of  the 
enemy's  forces. 

During  this  day  Captain  Hawkins  is  of  opinion  they  received 
from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  shells,  and  from  sev- 
enty-five to  one  hundred  round  shot,  and  not  a  man  was  disabled. 
The  next  day,  at  2  o'clock  p.  m.,  Major  Brown  died,  and  soon  after 
the  firing  was  heard  from  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  which  announced  a 
re-engagement  between  General  Taylor  and  the  enemy.  The 
enemy  raised  the  siege  at  about  six  o'clock  this  day,  and  beat  a 
retreat. 

11 


82  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

Battle  of  Palo  Axto. 

General  Taylor  reached  Point  Isabel  on  the  2d  of  May,  with- 
out having  seen  a  Mexican  on  his  way.  On  the  day  following,  he 
heard  the  cannonading,  by  the  assault  on  Fort  Brown,  with  some 
concern,  but  no  scouts  reported  any  intelligence  of  importance 
until  the  4th,  when  Captain  May,  with  a  squadron  of  dragoons  re- 
turned to  Point  Isabel,  with  reports  that  a  heavy  force  was  en- 
camped on  the  road,  twelve  miles  below  Matamoras,  whose  camp 
he  passed  around  ;  and  this  intelligence  was  confirmed  the  next 
day,  the  5th,  by  scouts  that  came  in,  saying  that  the  chaparral  was 
lined  with  sentinels  everywhere. 

The  firing  was  still  heard  at  the  fort,  and  General  Taylor  made 
dispositions  to  commence  his  return  march  on  the  next  day,  the 
6th,  with  an  ample  train  of  baggage-wagons,  loaded  with  stores 
for  the  army.  Whether  the  Mexican  commander  had  concentrated 
his  forces  so  as  to  assail  the  camp  opposite  Matamoras  in  rear  as 
well  as  in  front,  during  the  absence  of  the  army — whether  the 
works  were  found  capable  of  sustaining  the  assault  that  had  been 
made — or  whether  the  great  body  of  Mexicans  would  take  advan- 
tage of  the  defiles  and  chaparrals  upon  the  route  he  was  about 
himself  to  enter,  with  so  cumbrous  a  train  of  baggage,  was  matter 
of  total  uncertainty. 

May  6th,  Captain  Walker  arrived  with  dispatches  from  Major 
Brown's  camp,  and  reported  the  particulars  detailed  in  last  cliapler. 
Major  Brown  was  reserving  his  ammunition,  and  thus  far  all  was 
safe  there.  These  assurances  of  Captain  Walker  determined 
General  Taylor  to  postpone  his  departure,  in  hopes  that  additional 
forces  would  arrive  within  a  short  time  at  Point  Isabel,  for  the  se- 
curity of  that  important  station,  as  well  as  to  augment  the  effec- 
tive force  with  which  he  would  soon  be  ready  to  encounter  the 
enemy. 

Nothing  further  of  importance  took  place  until  the  evening  of 
the  7th  of  May,  when  the  main  body  of  the  army  of  occupation 


BATTLE    OF    PALO    ALTO.  83 

moved  from  Point  Isabel,  under  the  immediate  orders  of  General 
Taylor,  and  bivouacked  seven  miles  distant. 

The  march  was  resumed  the  follovi^ing  morning.  About  noon, 
when  the  advance  of  cavalry  had  reached  the  water-hole  of  "Palo 
Alto,"  the  Mexican  troops  were  reported  in  front,  and  were  soon  ~ 
discovered  occupying  the  road  in  force.  General  Taylor  ordered 
a  halt  upon  reaching  the  water,  with  a  view  to  rest  and  refresh  the 
men,  and  form  deliberately  the  line  of  battle.  The  Mexican  line 
was  now  plainly  visible  across  the  prairie,  and  about  three-quarters 
of  a  mile  distant.  Their  left,  which  was  composed  of  a  heavy 
force  of  cavalry,  occupied  the  road,  resting  upon  a  thicket  of  chap- 
arral, while  masses  of  infantry  were  discovered  in  succession  on 
the  right,  greatly  outnumbering  the  American  force. 

The  line  of  battle  was  now  formed  in  the  following  order,  com- 
mencing on  the  extreme  right :  Fifth  infantry,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-colonel  Mcintosh  ;  Major  Ringgold's  artillery  ;  third 
infantry,  commanded  by  Captain  L.  N.  Morris  ;  two  eighteen- 
pounders,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Churchill,  third  artillery; 
fourth  infantry,  commanded  by  Major  G.  W.  Allen  ;  the  third  and 
fourth  regiments  composed  the  third  brigade,  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant-colonel  Garland  ;  and  all  the  above  corps,  together 
with  two  squadrons  of  dragoons  under  Captains  Ker  and  May, 
composed  the  right  wing,  under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Twiggs. 
The  left  was  formed  by  the  battahon  of  artillery  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-colonel  Child s.  Captain  Duncan's  light  artillery,  and 
the  eighth  infantry,  under  Captain  Montgomery — all  forming  the 
first  brigade,  under  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Belknap. 
The  train  was  packed  near  the  water,  under  direction  of  Captains 
Grossman  and  Myers,  and  protected  by  Captain  Ker's  squadron. 

At  two  o'clock  General  Taylor  took  up  the  march  by  heads  of 
columns,  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy — the  eighteen-pounder  bat-  ■ 
tery  following  the  road.  While  the  columns  were  advancing  Lieut. 
Blake,  topographical  engineers,  volunteered  a  reconnoissance  of  the 
enemy's  line,  which  was  handsomely  performed,  and  resulted  in  the 
discovery  of  at  least  two  batteries  of  artillery  in  the  intervals  of  their 
cavalry  and  infantry.  These  batteries  were  soon  opened  upon  the 
Americans  ;  when  Gen.  Taylor  ordered  the  columns  halted  and  de- 


84  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

ployed  into  line,  and  llie  fire  lo  be  returned  by  all  his  artillery.  The 
eighth  infantry  on  the  extreme  left  was  thrown  back  to  secure  that 
flank.  The  first  fires  of  the  enemy  did  little  execution,  wliile  our 
eiglueen-pounders,  and  Major  Ringgold's  artillery  soon  dispersed 
the  cavalry,  while  his  left,  Captain  Duncan's  battery,  thrown  for- 
ward in  advance  of  the  line,  was  doing  good  execution  at  this  time. 
Captain  May's  squadron  was  now  detached  to  support  that  battery, 
and  the  left  of  our  position.  The  Mexican  cavalry,  with  two  pieces 
of  artillery,  were  now  reported  to  be  moving  through  the  chaparral 
to  our  right,  to  threaten  that  flank,  or  make  a  demonstration  against 
the  train.  The  fifth  infantry  was  immediately  detached  to  check 
this  movement,  and,  supported  by  Lieut.  Ridgley,  with  a  section  of 
Major  Ringgold's  battery  and  Captain  Walker's  company  of  volun- 
teers, effectually  repulsed  the  enemy — the  fifth  infantry  repelling  a 
charge  of  lancers,  and  the  artillery  doing  great  execution  in  their 
ranks.  The  third  infantry  was  now  detached  to  the  right  as  a  still 
further  security  to  that  flank  yet  threatened  by  the  enemy.  Major 
Ringgold,  with  the  remaining  section,  kept  up  his  fire  from  an  ad- 
vanced position  and  was  supported  by  the  fourth  infantry. 

The  grass  of  the  prairie  had  been  accidentally  fired  by  our  artil- 
lery, and  the  volumes  of  smoke  now  partially  concealed  the  armies 
from  each  other.  As  the  enemy's  left  had  evidently  been  driven 
back,  and  left  the  road  free,  as  the  cannonade  had  been  suspended, 
the  American  General  ordered  forward  the  eighteen-pounders  on 
the  road,  nearly  lo  the  position  first  occupied  by  the  Mexican  cav- 
alry, and  caused  the  first  brigade  to  take  up  a  new  position  still  on 
the  left  of  the  eigh teen-pounder  battery.  The  fifth  infantry  was  ad- 
vanced from  its  former  position,  and  occupied  a  point  on  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  new  line.  The  enemy  made  a  change  of  position 
corresponding  lo  our  own,  and  after  a  suspension  of  nearly  an  hour 
the  action  was  resumed. 

The  fire  of  the  artillery  was  now  most  destructive — openings 
were  constantly  made  through  the  enemy's  ranks  by  our  fire  :  and 
the  constancy  with  which  the  Mexican  infantry  sustained  this  se- 
vere cannonade  was  a  theme  of  universal  remark  and  admiration. 
Captain  May's  squadron  was  detached  to  make  a  demonstration  on 
the  left  of  the  enemy's  position,  and  suffered  severely  from  the  fire 


BATTLE  OF  PALO  ALTO.  85 

of  artillery  to  which  it  was  for  some  time  exposed.  The  fourth 
infantry,  which  had  been  ordered  to  support  the  eighteen-pounder 
battery,  was  exposed  to  a  most  galling  fire  of  artillery,  by  which 
several  men  were  killed,  and  Captain  Page  dangerously  wounded. 
The  enemy's  fire  was  directed  against  our  18-pounder  battery, 
and  the  guns  under  Major  Ringgold  in  its  vicinity.  The  major 
himself,  while  coolly  directing  the  fire  of  his  pieces,  was  struck 
by  a  cannon  ball,  and  mortally  wounded. 

In  the  mean  time  the  battalion  of  artillery  under  Lieutenant- 
colonel  Childs  had  been  brought  up  to  support  the  artillery  on  our 
right.  A  strong  demonstration  of  cavalry  was  now  made  by  the 
enemy  against  this  part  of  our  line,  and  the  column  continued  to 
advance  under  a  severe  fire  from  the  eighteen-pounders.  The  bat- 
talion was  instantly  formed  in  square,  and  held  ready  to  receive 
the  charge  of  cavalry  ;  but  when  the  advanced  squadrons  were 
within  close  range,  a  deadly  fire  of  canister  from  the  eighteen- 
pounders  dispersed  them.  A  brisk  fire  of  small  arms  was  now 
opened  upon  the  square,  by  which  Lieutenant  Luther  of  second 
artillery  was  shghtly  wounded  ;  but  a  well-directed  volley  from 
the  front  of  the  square  silenced  all  further  firing  from  the  enemy 
in  this  quarter.  It  was  now  nearly  dark,  and  the  action  was  closed 
on  the  right  of  the  American  line  ;  the  enemy  having  been  com- 
pletely driven  back  from  his  position,  and  foiled  in  every  attempt 
against  our  line. 

While  the  above  was  going  forward  on  our  right,  the  enemy  had 
made  a  serious  attempt  against  the  left  of  our  line.  Captain  Dun- 
can, with  his  usual  quickness  of  perception,  discovered  and  com- 
municated to  Lieutenant  Belknap,  commanding  the  brigade,  the 
fact  that  the  enemy  was  moving  the  entire  cavalry  and  infantry 
force  of  his  right  wing  upon  our  train  in  rear  of  the  left  of  our  line 
of  battle,  and  that  his  battery  could  produce  a  more  destructive 
effect  upon  the  enemy  by  taking  position  further  to  the  left.  He 
was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  threatened  point  with  all  possible 
dispatch,  and  hold  the  enemy  in  check  until  the  eighth  infantry 
could  come  up  to  his  support.  The  battery  dashed  back  to  the 
left  flank  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  and  engaged  him  within  point- 
blank  range  of  his  small  guns.     So  sudden  and  unexpected  was 


86  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

this  movement  to  the  enemy,  who  a  moment  before  saw  this  bat- 
tery disappear  in  the  opposite  direction  behind  the  smoke  of  the 
burninir  prairie,  tliat  liis  wliole  cohinin  of  cavalry  pulled  up  to  a 
halt  before  a  shot  had  been  fired  or  the  guns  unlimbered. 

A  strong  body  of  the  enemy's  infantiy,  supported  by  two  squad- 
rons of  cavalry,  now  debouched  from  the  extreme  riglit  point  of 
the  chaparral,  and  moved  steadily  forward  to  the  attack ;  one  sec- 
tion of  the  battery  opened  upon  them  witii  round  shot,  shells,  and 
spherical  case,  so  well  directed  that  the  whole  advance,  horse  and 
foot,  fell  back  in  disorder  to  the  bushes  ;  the  other  section  in  the 
mean  time  played  into  the  masses  of  cavalry  that  had  halted  at  the 
right  of  the  guns  before  mentioned.  Although  these  shot  were 
well  directed,  and  each  made  an  opening  through  an  entire  squad- 
ron, this  part  of  the  enemy's  line  stood  unshaken. 

The  column  of  cavalry  and  infantry  driven  back  in  the  chaparral 
by  the  other  section,  reformed  there,  and  moved  forward  a  second 
time  to  the  attack  with  great  regularity.  After  they  advanced 
about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  chaparral,  the  section  before  or- 
dered to  drive  them  back  again,  opened,  and  drove  them  with  even 
greater  success  than  before.  They  fell  back  pell-mell  to  the  bushes 
and  commenced  their  retreat ;  their  supporting  cavalry  abandoned 
them,  rushed  back  upon  the  head  of  the  colunms  that  had  before 
withstood  our  shot,  and  a  flight  commenced  ;  squadron  after  squad- 
ron took  it  up,  and  the  entire  right  wing  of  the  enemy  was  in  full 
retreat.  Both  sections  were  now  brought  to  bear  upon  the  enemy's 
broken  and  flying  columns,  and  a  brisk  and  destructive  fire  kept  up 
till  they  disappeared  in  the  chaparral,  or  darkness  put  an  end  to 
the  battle. 

This  battery,  under  the  skilful  management  of  Captain  Duncan, 
and  with  the  aid  of  the  8th  infantry,  commanded  by  Captain  Mont- 
gomery, and  Captain  Ker's  squadron  of  dragoons,  was  of  immense 
service,  at  this  peculiar  crisis,  on  our  left  line,  and  to  the  success- 
ful result  of  the  battle.  They  at  first  gallantly  held  the  enemy  at 
bay,  and  finally  drove  him  from  the  field  with  great  loss.  This 
terminated  the  action,  and  our  army  bivouacked  on  the  ground  it 
occupied,  while  that  of  the  Mexicans  retired  into  the  chaparral,  in 
rear  of  their  position. 


BATTLE    OP    PALO    ALTO.  87 

The  American  force  engaged  in  this  battle  is  reported  by  Gen- 
eral Taylor  to  have  been  177  officers,  and  2,111  men — in  all  2,288. 
The  Mexican  force,  according  to  the  statements  of  their  own  offi- 
cers, taken  prisoners  on  the  following  day,  was  not  less  than  six 
thousand  regular  troops,  with  ten  pieces  of  artillery — the  irregular 
force  not  known.  Their  loss  is  estimated  by  Arista,  the  command- 
er-in-chief, in  his  hasty  dispatch,  at  two  hundred  and  fifty-two 
killed,  wounded,  and  dispersed  ;  and  by  General  Taylor  at  not  less 
than  two  hundred  killed  and  four  hundred  wounded,  made  upon 
the  actual  number  counted  upon  the  field,  and  the  reports  of  their 
own  officers.  But  the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  far  greater  even 
than  this.       '  * 


88  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

Battle  of  Resaca  de  la  Palma. 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  May  the  Mexicans  were  discovere  , 
from  the  position  occupied  by  tlie  American  army  on  tlic  field  oi 
Palo  Alto  since  the  close  of  the  battle  the  day  previous,  moving  by 
their  left  flank  from  the  ground  occupied  by  them  during  the  night, 
evidently  in  retreat,  and  as  was  thought  to  gain  a  new  position  on 
the  road  to  Matamoras,  and  there  again  resist  the  advance  of  our 
army  with  the  stores.  General  Taylor  ordering  the  supply-train  to 
be  strongly  parked  at  its  position,  leaving  with  it  four  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, and  sending  the  wounded  officers  and  men  back  to  Point 
Isabel,  moved  forward  with  the  columns  to  the  edge  of  the  chapar- 
ral or  forest,  which  extends  to  the  Rio  Grande,  a  distance  of  seven 
miles.  The  command  of  Captain  McCall,  fourth  infantry,  consist- 
ing of  the  light  companies  of  the  first  brigade  under  Captain  C.  T. 
Smith,  Captain  Walker  with  his  Texas  Rangers,  detachment  of 
artillery  and  infantry  under  Captain  McCall  and  troop  of  second 
dragoons  under  Lieut.  Pleasanton,  in  all  two  hundred  and  twenty 
men,  were  ordered  to  move  forward  into  the  chapanal,  to  feel  the 
enemy  and  ascertain  his  position. 

Captain  Smith  moved  on  the  right  of  the  road,  while  Captain 
McCall  advanced  on  the  left  with  his  detachment  of  artillery  and 
infantry.  Captain  Walker  with  his  company  and  a  small  detach- 
ment of  mounted  men  was  ordered  to  examine  the  road  in  front, 
and  Lieut.  Pleasanton  with  his  dragoons  marched  in  rear  of  the 
columns  of  infantry.  Having  followed  tiie  trail  of  the  enemy  about 
two  and  a  half  miles,  through  the  chaparral,  a  prisoner  was  taken, 
and  one  of  the  enemy  killed  by  Captain  Walker's  men. 

Having  crossed  a  prairie  and  examined  the  opposite  side.  Captain 
Walker  reported  the  road  clear  ;  when  desiring  to  obtain  definite 
information  as  to  the  position  of  the  enemy.  Captain  McCall  pushed 
him  forward  into  the  chaparral,  (within  supporting  distance,)  and 
one  or  two  parties  of  from  three  to  six  were  seen  in  the  bushes, 
and  a  mounted  party  was  fired  upon  by  the  flankers. 


BATTLE  OF  RESACA  DE  LA  PALMA.  89 

On  reaching  the  open  ground  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  the  nead 
of  Captain  McCall's  column  received  three  rounds  of  canister  shot 
from  a  masked  battery,  which  killed  one  private  and  virounded  two 
sergeants  on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  made  his  men  take  cover. 
They  ralhed  however  handsomely  within  forty  or  fifty  paces. 
Captain  McCall  now  brought  Captain  Smith's  detachment  to  the 
left  of  the  road,  proposing  to  attack  by  flank  movement  what  he 
supposed  to  be  only  the  rear-guard  of  the  retiring  army  ;  and  he 
recalled  Lieut.  Dobbins,  who,  with  a  few  men,  had  deployed  to  the 
left,  where  he  had  killed  one  or  two  of  the  enemy  who  had  shown 
himself  in  his  front.  Being  now  satisfied  that  the  Mexican  army  was 
in  force  on  his  front,  Captain  McCall  dispatched  three  dragoons  to 
inform  General  Taylor  of  the  fact,  and  then  moved  his  command 
to  a  stronger  position  to  await  his  arrival. 

General  Taylor,  upon  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  at  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  immediately  put  his  command  in 
motion,  and  came  up  with  Captain  McCall  about  four  o'clock.  Cap- 
tain McC.  reporting  the  enemy  in  force  in  front,  occupying  a  ravine 
which  intersects  the  road,  and  is  skirted  by  thickets  of  dense  chap- 
arral. General  Taylor  ordered  Ridgley's  battery,  and  the  advance  un- 
der Captain  McCall,  to  be  thrown  forward  on  the  road  and  into  the 
chaparral  on  either  side,  while  the  fifth  infantry,  and  one  wing  of 
the  fourth,  was  thrown  into  the  forest  on  the  left,  and  the  third,  and 
the  other  wing  of  the  fourth,  on  the  right  of  the  road.  These 
corps  were  employed  as  skirmishers  to  cover  the  battery  and  en- 
gage the  Mexican  infantry. 

Lieutenant  Ridgley  now  being  in  front  with  his  light-artillery. 
Captain  Walker  was  sent  to  point  him  out  the  enemy,  and  his  ex- 
act position.  After  moving  very  cautiously  for  some  time,  Lieut. 
Ridgley  discovered  the  Mexicans  in  the  road,  about  four  hundred 
yards  in  front,  with  their  artillery,  which  they  instantly  opened. 
Lieut.  Ridgley  moved  rapidly  to  the  front,  about  one  hundred  yards, 
and  returned  their  fire,  which  was  kept  up  very  spiritedly  on  both 
sides  for  some  time,  their  grape-shot  passing  through  Lieut.  Ridg- 
ley's battery  in  every  direction.  So  soon  as  it  slackened  he  lim- 
bered up  and  moved  rapidly  forward,  never  unlimbering  unless 
seeing  them  in  front,  or  perceiving  from  the  fire  of  their  infantry 

12 


90  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

they  were  on  his  flanks,  and  discharging  canister  frequently  fronri 
several  of  his  pieces,  at  a  distance  of  not  over  one  hundred  or  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  enemy.  He  had  advanced  in  this 
manner  for  about  five  hundred  yards,  when  Captain  May  of  second 
dragoons,  came  up,  under  orders  to  charge  the  enemy's  battery. 

Captain  May,  during  the  morning,  had  been  actively  engaged  in 
reconnoitring  the  chaparral  in  advance  of  the  army  ;  and  was  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  position  the  enemy  was  reported  to  have  taken, 
when  he  was  ordered  to  charge  the  enemy's  batteries  and  drive  him 
from  his  pieces,  which  he  proceeded  rapidly  to  execute.  When 
Captain  May  reached  Lieut.  Ridgley,  the  latter  discharged  a  volley 
to  show  the  way,  when  May  dashed  gallantly  on  in  column  of  fours 
at  the  head  of  his  squadron,  and  was  followed  by  Lieut.  Ridgley 
and  his  command,  on  a  gallop. 

Captain  May  drove  the  enemy  from  his  guns  amidst  a  heavy  fire, 
but  with  a  loss  of  Lieutenant  Inge,  seven  privates,  and  eighteen 
horses  killed.  Lieutenant  Inge  was  gallantly  leading  his  platoon 
when  he  fell ;  and  Lieutenants  Sergeant  and  Story,  in  the  front, 
had  their  horses  killed  under  them. 

Captain  May  charged  entirely  through  the  enemy's  batteries  of 
seven  pieces.  Captain  Graham,  accompanied  by  Lieutenants 
Winship  and  Plcasanton,  leading  the  charge  against  the  pieces  on 
the  left  of  the  road  ;  and  himself,  accompanied  by  Lieutenants 
Inge,  Sackelt,  and  Stevens,  those  on  the  direct  road,  and  gained 
the  rising  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine.  After  gaining 
the  rising  ground  in  the  rear  he  could  rally  but  six  men,  and  with 
these  he  charged  the  enemy's  gunners,  who  had  regained  their 
.  pieces,  drove  them  off,  and  took  prisoner  General  La  Vega,  whom 
he  found  gallantly  fighting  in  person  at  his  battery. 

When  Lieutenant  Ridgley  came  up  to  the  ravine,  three  of  the 
enemy's  pieces  of  artillery  were  abandoned  ;  their  infantry,  how- 
ever, poured  into  him  a  most  galling  fire,  at  from  twenty-five  to 
fifty  paces  ;  and  here  ensued  a  most  desperate  struggle  ;  their 
cavalry  coming  so  near  as  to  be  reached  by  the  sabre.  The  eighth 
infantry  under  Captain  Montgomery  now  came  up,  and  for  a  time 
was  warmly  engaged,  but  succeeded  in  securing  the  battery,  and 
the  regiment  then  charged  upon  the  ravine  and  across  the  small 


BATTLE  OF  RESACA  DE  LA  PALMA.  91 

prairie  amidst  a  sheet  of  fire  from  the  front,  left,  and  right,  drove  the 
supporting  cohinui  before  it,  destroying  the  enemy  in  vast  numbers, 
they  having  maintained  a  most  determined  and  obstinate  resistance 
until  finally  repulsed  and  driven  from  the  field. 

During  this  charge,  the  eighth  infantry  was  joined  by  a  part  of 
the  fifth  infantry  under  the  gallant  Captain  Martin  Scott,  who  had 
just  been  engaged  in  a  hot  personal  contest  with  the  enem)'',  from 
whicii  he  was  timely  relieved  by  a  part  of- the  eighth  infantry  un- 
der Lieutenant  Wood  ;  Lieutenants  Ruggles  and  Crittenden  with 
a  small  command  of  the  fifth,  with  the  eighth  infantry,  all  under 
Captain  Montgomery,  routed  the  enemy's  right  wing,  carrying 
his  right  battery,  between  which  and  his  centre  batteries  had  been 
posted  the  celebrated  Tampico  ■  Regiment,  all  of  which,  except 
some  seventeen  men,  fell  in  their  position,  making  the  most  gallant 
and  determined  resistance.  A  part  of  the  fifth  infantry — Captains 
Wood's  and  Merrill's  companies — under  Colonel  Mcintosh, 
charged  across  the  enemy's  position,  carrying  one  of  his  centre 
batteries,  and  with  the  third  and  fourth  infantry  put  to  rout  his  left 
wing,  in  which  gallant  charge.  Colonel  Mcintosh  fell  dangerously 
wounded.  Captain  Marcy  of  the  fifth  infantry,  with  a  small  com- 
mand of  that  regiment,  had  turned  the  enemy's  left  flank,  and 
taken  a  piece  which,  leaving  in  the  rear,  was  removed  by  the 
enemy,  but  retaken  by  Captain  Buchanan  of  the  fourth  infantry. 

The  fight  companies  of  the  first  brigade,  and  the  third  and 
fourth  regiments  of  infantry,  had  been  deployed  on  the  right  of 
the  road,  when  at  various  points  they  became  briskly  engaged  with 
the  enemy.  The  fourth  infantry,  under  command  of  Brevet-Major 
Allen,  advancing,  discovered  that  the  enemy  were  pouring  a  heavy 
fire  of  grape  and  musketry  from  a  small  breastwork  just  in  front, 
defended  hj  one  piece  of  artillery  and  about  150  infantry.  Cap- 
tain Buchanan  was  ordered  to  cross  to  the  right  and  advance.  He 
had  in  his  command  some  thirty  men  of  the  regiment,  together 
with  Lieutenants  Haj'^s  and  Woods.  He  deployed  his  men  upon 
the  crest  of  the  hill,  charged,  took  the  piece,  and  bore  it  back  to  a 
place  of  safety.  The  enemy  had  a  breastwork  in  Captain  Bu- 
chanan's rear,  and  opened  a  heavy  fire  on  him ;  when,  with  about 
ten  men,  he  dislodged  him  and  drove  him  across  the  road.     Lieu- 


92  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

tenants  Hays  and  Woods  first  reached  tlic  piece  of  ordnance  and 
captured  it,  and  were  attacked  in  the  act  of  bearing  it  away  by  a 
party  of  the  enemy  determined  to  regain  it,  which  they  repulsed. 

The  3d  infantry,  commanded  by  Captain  Morris,  was  also  de- 
ployed in  the  commencement  of  the  engagement  as  skirmishers  on 
the  right  of  the  road,  llie  left  resting  on  the  road.  Tiic  regiment 
advanced  rapidly  to  the  front,  where  it  became  exposed  to  a  cross 
fire  of  both  armies,  but  upon  changing  position  joined  in  the  action 
with  service  to  the  successful  result.  Captain  Barbour,  with  his 
command,  also  repulsed  a  party  attempting  to  retake  the  piece 
spoken  of. 

The  4lh  regiment,  after  taking  the  battery,  pushed  forward  until 
it  emerged  from  the  thicket  into  the  main  camp  of  the  enem}^  con- 
taining the  head-quarters  of  the  commanding  general  of  the  Mexi- 
can army,  their  ammunition,  some  300  or  400  mules,  saddles, 
and  every  variety  of  camp  equipage,  with  the  commander's  offi- 
cial correspondence,  which  they  captured.  Lieutenant  Cochrane 
fell  at  the  edge  of  the  camp  whilst  gallantly  leading  his  men 
into  it. 

The  artillery  battalion,  excepting  the  flank  companies,  had  been 
ordered  to  guard  the  baggage-train,  which  was  parked  some  dis- 
tance in  the  rear.  That  battalion  was  now  ordered  to  pursue  the 
enemy,  and  wath  the  3d  infantry  Captain  Ker's  dragoons,  and 
Captain  Duncan's  battery,  followed  him  rapidly  to  the  river,  ma- 
king a  number  of  prisoners.  Several  of  the  enemy  were  drowned 
in  attempting  to  cross  the  river  near  the  town.  The  corps  last 
mentioned  encamped  near  the  river — the  remainder  of  the  army 
on  the  field  of  battle. 

The  aggregate  marching  force  under  General  Taylor  this  day 
was  2222.  The  actual  number  engaged  with  the  enemy  did  not 
exceed  1700  men.  The  American  loss  was  three  oflicers  and 
thirty-six  men  killed,  and  seventy-one  wounded. 

The  exact  force  of  the  Mexicans  is  not  known,  but  is  supposed 
by  General  Taylor  to  have  been  6000.  Their  loss  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  in  the  two  affairs,  is  estimated  by  General 
Taylor  at  1000.  Gen.  Taylor  remarks  thus  on  the  result  of  the 
battle : 


GENERAL    TAYLOR    CROSSES    THE    RIO    GRANDE.  93 

"  Our  victory  has  been  decisive.  A  small  force  has  overcome 
immense  odds  of  the  best  troops  Mexico  can  furnish — veteran 
regiments  perfectly  equipped  and  appointed.  Eight  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, several  colors  and  standards,  a  great  number  of  prisoners, 
including  fourteen  officers,  and  a  large  amount  of  baggage  and 
public  property,  have  fallen  into  our  hands. 

"  The  causes  of  victory  are  doubtless  to  be  found  in  the  supe- 
rior quality  of  our  officers  and  men.  I  have  already,  in  former 
reports,  paid  a  general  tribute  to  the  admirable  conduct  of  the 
troops  on  both  days  ;  it  now^  becomes  my  duty,  and  I  feel  it  to  be 
one  of  great  delicacy,  to  notice  individuals."  General  Taylor  then 
adverts  to  acts  of  individual  gallantry,  as  we  have  also  in  other 
places. 

On  account  of  General  Taylor's  limited  means  for  crossing  riv- 
ers, he  was  not  able  to  prosecute  so  complete  a  victory,  and  greatly 
felt  the  necessity  of  a  ponton  train,  such  as  he  recommended  to  the 
department  a  year  ago.  He  was  therefore  obliged  to  wait  for 
heavy  mortars,  with  which  to  menace  the  town  from  the  left  bank, 
and  also  the  accumulation  of  small  boats.  He  at  length  made  ev- 
ery preparation  to  cross  the  river  above  the  town,  while  Lieuten- 
ant-colonel Wilson  made  a  diversion  on  the  side  of  Barita,  and  the 
order  of  march  was  given  out  for  ten  o'clock  on  the  17th  May, 
from  the  camp  near  Fort  Brown,  when  he  was  waited  on  by  Gen- 
eral Reguena,  empowered  by  General  Arista  to  treat  for  an  armis- 
tice until  the  government  should  finally  settle  the  question. 
General  Taylor  replied  that  an  armistice  was  out  of  the  question  ; 
that  a  month  since  he  had  proposed  one  to  Ampudia,  which  was 
declined,  and  that  circumstances  had  now  changed,  &c. 

An  answer  from  Arista  was  promised  in  the  afternoon,  but  not 
coming,  General  Taylor  commenced  the  crossing,  with  a  view  to 
take  the  town  of  Matamoras  on  the  morning  following.  Upon  land- 
ing on  the  other  side  no  resistance  was  made,  and  he  was  soon  in- 
formed from  various  quarters  that  Arista  had  abandoned  the  town 
with  all  his  troops.  A  staff  officer  was  immediately  dispatched  to 
the  Prefect  to  demand  a  surrender,  which  was  granted,  and  Gen- 
eral Taylor  marched  in  and  took  possession  of  the  town  and  public 
property  left  behind. 


94  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Incidents  of  Personal  Valor,  &c. 

Lieutenant  C.  D.  Jordan. — In  the  battle  of  the  9th,  when 
the  8th  regiment  to  which  he  belongs  was  ordered  to  advance  to 
support  the  bold  charge  of  the  dragoons,  led  by  Captain  May, 
Lieutenant  Jordan,  with  his  company,  rushed  on  the  enemy,  com- 
pelled them  to  break  their  ranks,  and  fight  in  detached  squads, 
which,  after  a  brief  but  severe  contest,  were  destroyed  or  dispersed. 
Lieutenant  Jordan,  seeing  a  party  of  five  Mexicans  firing  on  our 
forces,  rushed  upon  them  sword  in  hand,  expecting  that  he  was 
supported  by  three  soldiers  of  the  regiment.  "  Two  or  three  shots 
were  discharged  at  him  when  at  the  distance  of  only  a  few  paces, 
but  fortunately  missed  him  ;  and  at  this  instant  he  perceived  he 
was  alone,  his  men  having  met  with  other  enemies,  and  his  foes 
were  prepared  to  receive  him  with  the  bayonet.  It  was  no  time 
for  hesitation.  He  made  a  blow  with  his  sword  at  the  nearest 
Mexican,  which  wounded  him  severely,  although  it  was  partly  par- 
ried with  his  musket ;  and  at  this  critical  moment  his  foot  struck 
something,  he  stumbled,  fell  forward  to  the  ground,  and  lost  his 
sword.  Before  he  could  recover  his  feet  he  received  three  bayonet 
stabs  in  his  body  ;  but  he  threw  himself  on  one  of  the  Mexicans, 
wrenched  his  cutlass  from  his  hand,  when  he  was  fired  upon  by 
another,  and  a  buck-shot  was  lodged  in  his  arm  near  the  shoulder, 
and  one  passed  through  his  arm.  He  fell  upon  his  back,  and  his 
eijemies  were  about  to  dispatch  him,  when  Lieutenant  C.  Lincoln, 
having  vanquished  those  previously  opposed  to  him,  hastened  with 
others  in  good  time  to  the  rescue.  Lieutenant  Lincoln  cut  down 
one  of  the  Mexicans,  whose  comrades  were  immediately  subdued." 


Lieutenant  Blake. — On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  General 
Taylor  rode  down  his  line  and  surveyed  his  command.  He  wished 
to  ascertain  whether  the  enemy  had  artillery,  and  how  much.  For 
this  purpose  Captain  May  was  ordered  out  with  a  squadron  to 


INCIDENTS    OP    PERSONAL    VALOR.  -95 

reconnoitre,  and,  if  possible,  draw  a  fire  from  llie  enemy  ;  but  to 
no  purpose.  Lieutenant  Blake  of  the  topographical  engineers  now 
offered  to  go  forward  alone  and  reconnoitre.  A  brother  officer  vol- 
unteered to  accompany  him,  and  they  set  out  together  on  horse- 
back, and  dashed  to  within  eiglitrj  yards  of  the  enemy's  hne. 
"  Lieutenant  Blake  alighted  from  his  horse  and  with  his  glass  sur- 
veyed the  whole  line,  the  American  army  looking  on  with  astonish- 
ment. .Tust  then  two  Mexican  officers  rode  out  towards  them,  but 
they  drawing  their  pistols,  the  Mexicans  halted.  Lieut.  Blake 
and  his  companion  now  mounted  and  galloped  down  their  line  to 
the  other  end,  and  returned,  having  procured  the  information  neces- 
sary, which  was,  that  the  enemy  had  two  batteries,  one  composed 
of  seven,  and  the  other  five  pieces.  They  but  reached  their  own 
line  when  the  batteries  opened  and  the  work  of  destruction  com- 
menced. 

"  Lieutenant  Blake  was  the  next  day  killed  by  the  accidental  dis- 
charge of  his  own  pistol.  He  had  thrown  his  sword,  to  which  his 
pistols  were  attached,  to  the  ground,  on  entering  his  tent.  One 
pistol  was  discharged,  and  the  ball  entering  his  thigh  was  taken  out 
of  his  breast.  He  died  in  three  hours  afterwards,  regretting  he 
had  not  been  killed  the  day  before.  He  was  a  native  of  Phila- 
delphia, a  noble  fellow,  and  an  ornament  to  the  army." 


Captain  Allen  Lowd,  second  artillery,  occupied  an  important 
position  in  the  works  opposite  Matamoras  during  the  siege.  He 
was  the  senior  artillery  officer  present.  A  correspondent  of  the 
Albany  Argus  thus  speaks  of  Captain  Lowd  and  the  part  he  took  : 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  May,  for  six  successive  hours 
did  Captain  Lowd  pour  his  fire  into  the  enemy's  batteries  and  into 
the  town  of  Matamoras;  his  men  working  their  guns  till  they  were 
nigh  totally  exhausted,  and  he  himself  in  the  thickest  of  the  fire, 
the  enemy's  balls  flying  round  him  and  his  men  like  hail — the 
Mexicans  having  concentrated  their  fire  on  his  battery.  His  cap 
was  blown  from  his  head  by  the  wind  of  a  passing  ball,  and  the 
guns  near  his  person  were  frequently  struck  by  the  shot,  which 
the  enemy,  with  wonderful  precision,  fired  through  the  embrasures. 
It  is  almost  miraculous  that  neither  he  nor  any  one  of  his  company 


96  LIFE    OF    GENERAL    TAYLOR. 

was  injured.  Officers  and  men  were  covered  with  the  sand  which 
the  enemy's  balls,  striking  near,  ploughed  from  the  faces  of  the 
embrasures  and  the  edge  of  the  parapet. 

"  Independent  of  Captain  Lowd's  energy  and  activhy  during  the 
fight  with  the  enemy,  his  calmness  and  discretion  during  the  whole 
of  the  siege  were  such  as  to  ehcit  the  admiration  of  all,  and  to 
render  his  counsel  in  those  long,  perilous  hours,  of  infinite  value  to 
those  who  sought  it." 

The  following  named  officers  are  natives  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  were  eneaged  in  the  defence  of  Fort  Brown,  and  in  the 
actions  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The  names  will 
suggest  the  proud  part  the  Empire  State  took  in  these  affairs. 

ENGAGED  IN  DEFENCE  OF  FORT  BROWN. 

Second  Regiment  Artillery — Lieutenant  A.  B.  Lansing. 

Seventh  Regiment  Lifantry— Captain  E.  S.  Hawkins. 

do.  do.  do.  Captain  D.  P.  Whiting. 

do.  do.  do.  Lieutenant  J.  C.  Henshaw. 

do.  do.  do.  Lieutenant  F.  Gardner. 

do.  do.  do.  Lieutenant  H.  B.  Clitz. 

do.  do.  do.  Lieutenant  W.  K.  Van  Bokkelen. 

PRESENT  IN  THE  ACTIONS  OF  8tH  AND  9tH  MAY. 

General  Staff— Captain  W.  W.  S.  Bliss,  Assistant  Adjutant-general. 
Medical  Staff— Dr.  M.  Mills. 

First   Regiment   Artillery— Lieutenant  J.  S.  Hatheway. 
Second  Regiment  Artillery— Captain  J.  Duncan,  commanding  company 

Horse  Artillery. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  L.  Chase. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  J.  J.  Peck. 

Third    Regiment    Artillery- Lieutenant  W.  H.  Churchill. 
Fourth  Regiment  Artillery— Brevet  Major  W.  W.  Morris. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  C.  Benjamin. 

Second  Regiment  Dragoons — Lieutenant  F.  Hamilton. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  O.  F.  Winship. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  D.  B.  Sacket. 

Third   Regiment    Infantry— Captain  L.  N.  Morris. 

do.  do.  do.         Captain  H.  Bainbridge. 

do.  do.  do.         Captain  G.  P.  Field. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  W.  S.  Henry. 

Fourth  Regiment  Infantry— Captain  P.  Morrison. 

do.  do.  do.         Captain  Gouvorneur  Morris. 

Fifth    Regiment    Infantry — Lieutenant  M.  Rosecrants. 
Eighth  Regiment  Infantry- Brevet  Lieutenant-colonel  Belknq). 

do.  do.  do.         Captain  H.  McKavett. 

do.  do.  do.         Captain  J.  V.  Bom  ford. 

do,  do.  do.         Lieutenant  J.  V.  D.  Reeve. 

do.  do.  do.         Lieutenant  C.  R.  Gates. 

do.  do.  do.        Lieutenant  C.  F.  Morris. 


No 

TH  E    GIFT 

OF 

DR.   JA-MES   RUSH 

TO   THE 

RIDGWAY  BRANCH 

OP   THE 

PHILADELPHIA    LTBRAPY, 
A.    E>.    1869. 


\  no 


fii  ^— ^^— ■^— — — ^^ 


OBITUAEY  ADDRESSES 


DELIVEEED  ON  THE 


OCCASION  OF  THE  DEATH 


OP 


ZACHARY  TAYLOR, 


PRESIDENT    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES, 


m   THE 


JULY    10,    1850; 


WITH  THB 


Fl'JlERAl  SERMON  BY  THE  REV.  SMITH  PYNE,  D.D. 

RECTOR  OP  ST.  JOHN'S   CHURCH,   WASHINGTON, 

PREACHED  IN   THE   PRESIDENTIAL   MANSION,  JULY  13,  1850. 


iPrtntcli  tig  ortier  of  tfie  Senate 
kSc  p}nuse  of  Eepreaentati&cB. / 


WASHINGTON: 
PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  M.  BELT. 

1850. 


IN  THE   SENATE   OF   THE   UNITED   STATES, 
Tuesday,  July  9,  1850. 


Mr.  Butler  proceeded  to  address  the  Senate ;  and, 
having  spoken  an  hour,  on  a  private  communication  from 
Mr.  Webster,  he  suspended  his  remarks. 

Mr.  Webster. — Mr.  President,  I  have  permission 
from  the  honourable  member  from  South  Carohna 
to  interrupt  the  progress  of  his  speech,  and  to  make 
a  solemn  and  mournful  suggestion  to  the  Senate. 
The  intelligence  which,  within  the  last  few  moments, 
has  been  received,  indicates  that  a  very  great  mis- 
fortune is  now  immediately  impending  over  the 
country.  It  is  supposed  by  medical  advisers  and 
others  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  can- 
not live  many  hours.  This  intimation  comes  in  a 
shape  so  authentic,  and  through  so  many  varieties 
of  communication,  and  all  tending  to  the  same 
result,  that  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  move 
the  Senate  to  follow  the  example  which  has  already 
been  set  in  the  other  branch  of  the  National  Legis- 
lature. 


10G0B8 


m  m 


At  half-past  eleven  o'clock  to-day,  I  called  at  the 
President's  mansion  to  inquire  after  his  health.  I 
was  informed  that  he  had  had  a  very  bad  night ; 
that  he  was  exceedingly  ill  this  morning,  but  that 
at  that  moment  he  was  more  easy  and  more  com- 
posed. I  had  hardly  reached  my  seat  in  the  Sen- 
ate when  it  was  announced  to  me  that  the  fever 
had  suddenly  returned  upon  him  Avith  very  alarm- 
ing symptoms ;  that  appearances  of  congestion  were 
obvious;  and  that  it  was  hardly  possible  his  life 
would  be  prolonged  through  the  day. 

With  the  permission,  therefore,  of  my  honour- 
able friend  from  South  Carolina,  who,  I  am  sure, 
like  the  rest  of  us,  has  those  feelings  on  this  occa- 
sion which  quite  disqualify  us  for  the  performance 
of  our  duties,  even  in  this  very  important  crisis  of 
public  affairs,  I  venture  to  move  the  Senate  that  it 
do  now  adjourn. 

The  Senate  accordingly  adjourned. 


»- 


■# 


HOUSE   OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

Tuesday,  July  9, 1850. 


At  one  o'clock  and  seven  minutes,  P.  M. 

Mr.  Bayly  rose  and  stated,  that  he  understood  that 
authentic  information  had  reached  the  Capitol  that  the 
condition  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  so 
critical  that  he  would  probably  not  survive  "an  hour. 

He  therefore  moved  that  the  House  adjourn ;  and  the 
question  being  put. 

It  was  decided  in  the  affirmative. 

And  the  House  accordingly  adjourned  until  to-morrow 
at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M. 


m  T  m 


-0 


IN   SENATE. 
Wednesday,  July  10,  1850. 


The  following  communication,  received  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Senate,  was  read  : — 

Washington,  July  10,  1850. 
To  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  : 

In  consequence  of  the  lamented  death  of 
Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United  States, 
I  shall  no  longer  occupy  the  chair  of  the  Senate; 
and  I  have  thought  that  a  formal  communication 
to  the  Senate,  to  that  effect,  through  your  Secre- 
tary, might  enable  you  the  more  promptly  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  choice  of  a  presiding  officer. 

Millard  Fillmore. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  by  Mr.  Pisher : — 

Washington,  July  10,  1850. 
Fellow-Citizens  of  the  Senate  and  Mouse  of  Representatives : 
I  have  to  perform  the  melancholy  duty  of 
announcing  to  you,  that  it  has  pleased  Almighty 
God  to  remove  from  this  life  Zachary  Taylor,  late 
President  of  the  United  States.  He  deceased  last 
evening  at  the  hour  of  half-past  ten  o'clock,  in  the 


8 

midst  of  his  family  and  surrounded  by  affectionate 
friends,  calmly  and  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his 
faculties.  Among  his  last  words  were  these,  which 
he  uttered  with  emphatic  distinction :  "  I  have 
always  done  my  duty — I  am  ready  to  die — my 
only  regret  is  for  the  friends  I  leave  behind  me." 

Having  announced  to  you,  fellow-citizens,  this 
most  afl^cting  bereavement,  and  assuring  you  that 
it  has  penetrated  no  heart  with  deeper  grief  than 
mine,  it  remains  for  me  to  say,  that  I  propose  this 
day,  at  twelve  o'clock,  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  in  the  presence  of  both  Houses  of 
Congress,  to  take  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  con- 
stitution to  enable  me  to  enter  on  the  execution  of 
the  office  which  this  event  has  devolved  on  me. 

Millard  Fillmore. 

The  message  was  read. 

The  following  message  was  received  from  the  President 
of  the  United  States  by  Mr.  Fisher : — 

Fellow- Citizens  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives : 
A  great  man  has  fallen  among  us,  and  a 
whole  country  is  called   to   an   occasion  of  unex- 
pected, deep,  and  general  mourning. 

I  recommend  to  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  to 
adopt  such  measures,  as  in  their  discretion  may 
seem  proper,  to  perform  with  due  solemnities  the 
funeral   obsequies   of  Zachary    Taylor,    late    Presi- 


-i 


9 

dent  of  the  United  States ;  and  thereby  to  signify 
the  great  and  affectionate  regard  of  the  American 
people  for  the  memory  of  one  whose  life  has  been 
devoted  to  the  public  service ;  whose  career  in  arms 
has  not  been  surpassed  in  usefulness  or  brilliancy ; 
who  has  been  so  recently  raised  by  the  unsolicited 
voice  of  the  people  to  the  highest  civil  authority  in 
the  government, — which  he  administered  with  so 
much  honour  and  advantage  to  his  country  j  and 
by  whose  sudden  death  so  many  hopes  of  future 
usefulness  have  been  blighted  for  ever. 

To  you,  Senators  and  Representatives  of  a  Nation 
in  tears,  I  can  say  nothing  which  can  alleviate  the 
sorrow  with  which  you  are  oppressed.  I  appeal  to 
you  to  aid  me,  under  the  trying  circumstances 
which  surround  me,  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties, 
from  which,  however  much  I  may  be  oppressed  by 
them,  I  dare  not  shrink ;  and  I  rely  upon  Him,  who 
holds  in  his  hands  the  destinies  cf  nations,  to  en- 
dow me  with  the  requisite  strength  for  the  task,  and 
to  avert  from  our  country  the  evils  apprehended 
from  the  heavy  calamity  which  has  befallen  us. 

I  shall  most  readily  concur  in  whatever  measures 

the   wisdom   of  the   two   Houses   may  suggest,   as 

befitting  this  deeply  melancholy  occasion. 

Millard  Fillmore. 
Washington,  July  10,  1850. 

The  message  was  read. 


i9 

10 

Mr.  Downs  rose  and  said : 

Mr.  Secretary  :  I  rise,  as  a  member  of  the  delegor 
tion  of  the  State  whose  citizen  the  late  President  of 
the  United  States  was,  to  offer  resolutions  suitable  to 
the  occasion.  The  announcement  of  his  death  has 
been  already  made  officially  here  and  elsewhere ; 
and  on  the  wings  of  lightning,  and  almost  as  swift 
as  thought,  the  sad  intelligence  has  been  conveyed 
to  remote  portions  of  this  great  repubhc.  How  su- 
blime, as  well  as  melancholy,  is  the  scene  in  which 
we  are  now  engaged !  But  a  few  days  since — less 
than  a  week — many  of  us  sat  near  the  then  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  saluted  him  in  health, 
at  the  base  of  that  monument  which  the  hands  of  a 
grateful  posterity  are  now  raising  to  the  memory  of 
the  first  and  the  greatest  of  his  predecessors — hero, 
statesman,  Hke  himself — and  where  we  had  assem- 
bled to  pay  devotion  to  the  memory  of  the  man 
"  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts 
of  his  countrjanen ;"  and  to  rekindle,  in  the  breasts 
of  all,  that  spirit  of  union,  fraternity,  and  Uberty, 
^vithout  which  we  shall  prove  ourselves  unworthy 
of  our  revolutionary  ancestors,  and  a  reproach  to 
their  memory.  Yes,  there  sat,  quiet  and  placid  as 
the  gentle  breeze  from  the  Potomac  that  cooled  his 
heated  brow,  the  man  whose  very  pathway  to  his 
log-cabin  school-house  in  Kentucky,  the  '"  Bloody 
Ground,"  was  beset  by  the  tomahawk  of  the  savage. 


11 


and  who  had  passed  through  four  wars  and  many  of 
the  bloodiest  and  most  glorious  battle-fields  of  his 
country  unscathed — at  the  head  of  the  greatest  re- 
pubhc  of  this  or  any  other  country,  protected,  not 
by  bayonets,  but  by  the  affections  of  his  country- 
men :  yet,  in  a  few  short  days,  in  the  midst  of  this 
quiet,  peace,  prosperity,  and  fame,  he  was  to  ap- 
proach that  doom  which  awaits  us  all. 

Zachary  Taylor  was  born  in  1784,  in  Orange 
county,  Virginia.  In  early  life  he  gave  evidence  of 
extraordinary  energy  and  force  of  character.  In 
1808,  he  was  appointed,  during  the  presidency  of 
Mr.  Jefferson,  lieutenant  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States;  rose,  in  1812,  to  the  rank  of  captain;  and, 
after  the  declaration  of  war  with  Great  Britain  in 
that  year,  he  was  brevetted  major  by  President  Ma- 
dison, for  his  memorable  and  gallant  defence  of  Fort 
Harrison,  with  a  handful  of  men,  against  a  large 
body  of  savages.  In  1832,  then  advanced  to  the 
rank  of  colonel,  he  distinguished  himself  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war ;  was  ordered  into  Florida  in  1836, 
and  for  his  signal  services  against  the  savage  Semi- 
noles,  was  created  a  brevet  brigadier-general,  and 
commander-in-chief  in  Florida.  Subsequently,  he 
was  transferred  to  the  command  of  the  division  of 
the  army  in  the  south-western  portion  of  the  Union; 
was  ordered  into  Texas  in  1845;  advanced  to  the 
banks  of  the  Rio  Grande ;  and  afterwards,  beginning 


-i) 


-« 


.      12 

^vitli  the  battles  of  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  1846, 
at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  endmg 
^vith  Buena  Vista,  he  overthrew,  wdtli  fearful  odds 
against  him,  and  signally  defeated  the  most  skilful 
of  the  Mexican  generals,  Ampudia,  Arista,  Paredes, 
and  even  the  President  of  Mexico  himself;  and,  by 
a  series  of  brilliant  victories,  gained  for  himself  and 
the  brave  armies  under  his  command,  a  world-wide 
renown,  commanding  the  approval  and  admiration 
of  Europe  and  America,  and  securing  an  enviable 
and  proud  place  in  the  brightest  chapters  of  the 
history  of  American  arms. 

But  why  attempt  to  portray  his  life  or  describe 
his  actions  ?  This  is  not  the  time  nor  place  for  such 
a  purpose,  if  I  had  the  ability  to  do  it  justice.  His 
history  is  part  of  the  history  of  his  country,  and 
therefore  needs  no  aid  of  friends  to  preserve  it.  The 
battle-fields  of  Fort  Harrison,  of  Okeechobee,  Palo 
Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey,  and,  the  most 
glorious  of  them  all,  Buena  Vista,  are  at  once  his 
monuments  and  his  eulogies.  He  needs  no  others. 
Of  his  political  history,  this  is  not  the  place  nor  I 
the  person  to  speak.  Yet  I  may,  I  hope,  be  par- 
doned a  single  remark.  The  wisest  and  best  coun- 
sels of  pubhc  men  in  a  free  country — free  in  speech, 
in  the  press,  and  in  the  ballot — cannot  be  expected 
to  go  unquestioned.  It  would  not  be  a  free  country, 
if  they  were.      But  it  is  consolatory  to  know  that. 


■^» 


13 

whatever  differences  of  opinion  may  have  existed  as 
to  the  policy  of  him  whose  untimely  death  we  all  so 
much  lament,  they  are  already,  before  the  tomb  has 
been  closed  over  him,  buried  in  oblivion  for  ever. 
He  is  hereafter  to  belong  to  no  party,  to  no  section, 
but  to  the  whole  American  family,  and  his  memory 
will  be  revered  and  cherished  by  them  all  aUke. 

But  let  not  the  tears  we  are  shedding  over  our 
departed  President  blind  us  to  the  grandeur  of  the 
scene  in  which  we  stand.  Did  the  world  ever  wit- 
ness such  an  one  before  ?  How  soon,  if  ever,  can  it 
be  witnessed  in  other  countries?  The  chief  of  a 
nation  of  more  than  twenty  millions  of  freemen  is 
suddenly  withdrawn  from  the  world  by  an  act  of 
God,  followed  by  no  disturbance  of  the  perfect  equi- 
poise of  our  institutions.  The  gentlemen  composing 
the  cabinet  of  the  late  President,  after  his  decease, 
and  at  the  approach  of  midnight,  without  ostenta- 
tion, quietly  repair  to  the  residence  of  the  Vice-Pre- 
sident, and  there  announce  the  national  bereave- 
ment, and  his  own  promotion  by  the  operation  of 
our  Constitution,  and  the  previous  designation  of 
the  person  to  the  highest  and  the  most  honourable 
position  on  earth.  Within  little  more  than  twelve 
hours  after  that  event,  the  new  President  has  taken 
the  oath  of  office,  without  any  military  parade,  and 
been  installed  in  command  of  the  ship  of  state, 
which   moves   on   over  the   billows  of  time,  more 


If— 


14 

bright  and  buoyant  than  ever,  bearing  at  her  mast- 
head the  proud  emblems  of  national  glory  and  great- 
ness, and  presenting  to  the  world  a  sublime  spectacle 
of  the  beauty  and  perfection  of  self-government. 

Such  a  scene  as  this  ought  to  make  us  a  happier 
and  a  better  people.  It  should  make  us  sensible  of 
the  great  and  manifold  advantages  we  enjoy  as  a 
free  and  united  people.  Let  us,  then,  bury  in  the 
tomb  of  our  departed  President,  all  sectional  feelings 
and  divisions,  and  unite  once  more  in  that  spirit  of 
cordial  good  will  and  brotherly  love  which  united 
our  forefathers  in  the  earlier  days  of  the  republic. 
Let  us  renew  before  we  leave  his  grave  our  vows  to 
support  the  Union,  and  our  determination  to  perpe- 
tuate our  Constitution  in  all  its  primeval  simplicity 
and  purity.  There  is  room  enough,  glory  enough, 
and  honours  enough  for  us  all,  while  we  preserve  the 
Union,  and  know  how  wisely  and  prudently  to  en- 
joy it. 

Mr.  Downs  then  submitted  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  considered  by  unanimous  consent  and  agreed  to. 

Whereas,  it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  remove  from 
this  life,  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  Senate,  sharing  in  the  general  sorrow  which  this 
melancholy  event  must  produce,  is  desirous  of  manifesting 
its  sensibility  on  this  occasion  :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs,  "VYeij- 
STER,  Cass,  and  King,  be  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  Se- 


®  ® 

15 

nate,  to  meet  such  committee  as  may  be  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  to  consider  and  re- 
port what  measures  it  may  he  deemed  proper  to  adopt  to 
show  the  respect  and  aflFection  of  Congress  for  the  memory 
of  the  illustrious  deceased,  and  to  make  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements for  his  funeral. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  communicate 
the  foregoing  resolution  to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Mr.  "Webster. — Mr.  Secretary,  at  a  time  when 
the  great  mass  of  our  fellow-citizens  enjoy  remark- 
able health  and  happiness  throughout  the  whole 
country,  it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  visit 
the  two  houses  of  Congress,  and  esjjecially  this  house, 
with  repeated  occasions  for  mourning  and  lamen- 
tation. Since  the  commencement  of  the  session,  we 
have  followed  two  of  our  own  members  to  their  last 
home;  and  we  are  now  called  upon,  in  conjunction 
with  the  other  branch  of  the  legislature,  and  in  full 
sympathy  with  that  deep  tone  of  affliction  which  I 
am  sure  is  felt  throughout  all  the  country,  to  take 
part  in  the  last  and  due  solemnities  of  the  funeral 
of  the  late  President  of  the  United  States. 

Truly,  sir,  was  it  said  in  the  communication  read 
to  us,  that  a  "great  man  has  fallen  among  us."  The 
late  President  of  the  United  States,  originally  a 
soldier  by  profession,  having  gone  through  a  long 
and  splendid  career  of  military  service,  had,  at  the 
close  of  the  late  war  with  Mexico,  become  so  much 


i) 

16 

endeared  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  and  had 
inspired  them  with  so  high  a  degree  of  regard  and 
confidence,  that  without  soHcitation  or  application, 
without  pursuing  any  devious  paths  of  policy,  or 
turning  a  hair's  breadth  to  the  right  or  the  left  from 
the  path  of  duty,  a  great,  and  powerful,  and  gener- 
ous people  saw  fit,  by  popular  vote  and  voice,  to 
confer  upon  him  the  highest  civil  authority  in  the 
nation.  We  cannot  forget  that  as  in  other  instances 
so  in  this,  the  public  feeling  was  won  and  carried 
away,  in  some  degree,  by  the  eclat  of  military  re- 
nown. So  it  has  been  always;  and  so  it  alwa3^s  Avill 
be,  because  high  respect  for  noble  feats  in  arms  has 
l)een,  and  always  will  be,  outpoured  from  an  ex- 
haustless  fountain  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  living 
under  a  popular  government.  But  it  would  be  a 
great  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  late  President  of 
the  United  States  owed  his  advancement  to  hioh 
civil  trust,  or  his  great  acceptability  with  the  people, 
to  military  talent  or  ability  alone.  I  believe,  sir, 
that  associated  with  the  highest  admiration  for  those 
qualities  possessed  by  him,  there  was  spread  through- 
out the  community  a  high  degree  of  confidence  and 
faith  in  his  integrity,  and  honour  and  u^Drightness 
as  a  man;  I  believe  he  was  especially  regarded  as 
both  a  firm  and  a  mild  man  in  the  exercise  of  autho- 
rity; and  I  have  observed,  more  than  once,  in  this 
and  in  other  popular  governments,  that  the  prevalent 


■® 


17 

motive  mtli  the  masses  of  mankind  for  conferring 
high  power  on  individuals,  is  often  a  confidence  in 
their  mildness,  their  paternal,  protecting,  and  safe 
character.  The  people  natm-ally  feel  safe  where 
thej  feel  themselves  to  be  under  the  control  and 
protection  of  sober  counsels,  of  impartial  minds,  and 
a  general  paternal  superintendence. 

I  suppose,  sir,  that  no  case  ever  happened  in  the 
very  best  days  of  the  Roman  republic,  when  any 
man  found  himself  clothed  with  the  highest  autho- 
rity in  the  State,  under  circumstances  more  repelHng 
all  suspicion  of -personal  ajDplication,  all  suspicion  of 
pursuing  any  crooked  path  in  pohtics,  or  all  sus- 
picion of  having  been  actuated  by  sinister  views 
and  purposes,  than  in  the  case  of  the  worthy,  and 
eminent,  and  distinguished,  and  good  man,  whose 
death  we  now  dejDlore. 

He  has  left  to  the  people  of  his  country  a  legacy 
in  this :  He  has  left  them  a  bright  example,  which 
addresses  itself  with  peculiar  force  to  the  young  and 
rising  generation;  for  it  tells  them  that  there  is  a 
path  to  the  highest  degree  of  renown — straight,  on- 
ward, steady,  without  change  or  deviation. 

Mr.  Secretary,  my  friend  from  Louisiana,  [Mr. 
Downs]  has  detailed  shortly  the  events  in  the 
military  career  of  General  Taylor.  His  service 
through  life  was  mostly  on  the  frontier,  and  always 
a  hard  service — often  in  combat  with  the  tribes  of 


.6 


18 

Iiidiaiis  all  along  the  borders  for  many  thousands 
of  miles.  It  has  been  justly  remarked  by  one  of  the 
most  eloquent  men  whose  voice  was  ever  heard  in 
these  houses,  that  it  is  not  in  Indian  wars  that 
heroes  are  celebrated,  but  that  it  is  there  that  the}^ 
are  formed.  The  hard  service,  the  stern  discipline, 
devolving  upon  all  those  who  have  a  great  extent 
of  frontier  to  defend,  and  often  with  irregular  troops, 
being  called  on  suddenly  to  enter  into  contests  with 
savages,  to  study  the  habits  of  savage  life  and 
savage  war,  in  order  to  foresee  and  overcome  their 
stratagems — all  these  things  tend  to  make  a  hardy 
military  character. 

For  a  very  short  time,  sir,  I  had  a  connexion 
with  the  executive  government  of  this  country;  and 
at  that  period  very  j)erilous  embarrassing  circum- 
stances existed  between  the  United  States  and  the 
Indians  on  the  borders,  and  war  was  actually  raging 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Florida  tribes; 
and  I  very  well  remember  that  those  Avho  took 
counsel  together  on  that  occasion  officially,  and 
who  were  desirous  of  placing  the  military  com- 
mand in  the  safest  hands,  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  tliere  was  no  man  in  the  service  more  full>- 
uniting  the  qualities  of  military  aljilitj^  and  great 
personal  prudence  than  Zachary  Taylor;  and  he 
was,  of  course,  appointed  to  the  command. 

Unfortunately  his  career    at   the  head  of  this  go- 


gl  Igl 

19 

vernment  was  short.  For  my  part,  in  all  that  I  have 
seen  of  him,  I  have  found  much  to  respect  and 
nothing  to  condemn.  The  circumstances  under 
which  he  conducted  the  government  for  the  few 
months  he  was  at  the  head  of  it  have  been  such  as, 
perhaps,  not  to  give  to  him  a  very  favourable,  cer- 
tainly not  a  long  ojDportunity,  of  developing  his  prin- 
ciples and  his  policy,  and  to  carry  them  out :  but  I 
believe  he  has  left  on  the  minds  of  the  country  a 
strong  impression,  first,  of  his  absolute  honesty  and 
integrity  of  character;  next,  of  his  sound,  practical 
good  sense;  and,  lastly,  of  the  mildness,  kindness, 
and  friendliness  of  his  temper  towards  all  his 
countrymen. 

But  he  is  gone.  He  is  ours  no  more,  except  in 
the  force  of  his  example.  Sir,  I  heard  with  infinite 
delight  the  sentiments  expressed  by  my  honourable 
friend  from  Louisiana,  [Mr.  Downs,]  who  has  just 
resumed  his  seat,  when  he  earnestly  prayed  that  this 
event  might  be  used  to  soften  animosities,  to  allay 
party  criminations  and  recriminations,  and  to  restore 
fellowship  and  good  feeling  among  the  various  parts 
of  the  Union.  Mr.  Secretary,  great  as  is  our  loss  to- 
day, if  these  inestimable  and  inappreciable  blessings 
shall  have  been  secured  to  us,  even  by  the  death  of 
Zaciiart  Taylor,  they  have  not  been  purchased  at 
too  high  a  price :  and  if  his  spirit,  from  the  regions 
to  which  he  has  ascended,  could  see  these  results 


9  g 

20 

floAving  from  his  unexpected  and  untimely  end  on 
earth — if  he  could  see  that  he  had  cntmned  a  sol- 
dier's laurel  around  a  martyr's  crown,  he  would  say 
exultingly,  "  Happy  am  I,  that  by  my  death  I  have 
done  more  for  that  country  which  I  loved  and 
served,  than  I  did  or  could  do  by  all  the  devotion 
and  all  the  efforts  that  I  could  make  in  her  behalf, 
during  the  short  span  of  my  earthly  existence." 

Mr.  Secretary,  great  as  this  calamity  is,  we 
mourn,  but  not  as  those  without  hope.  We  have 
seen  one  eminent  man,  and  another  eminent  man, 
and  at  last  a  man  in  the  most  eminent  station  fall 
away  from  the  midst  of  us.  But  I  doubt  not  there 
is  a  Power  above  us,  exercising  over  us  that  paren- 
tal care  that  has  marked  our  progress  for  so  many 
years.  I  have  confidence  still  that  the  place  of  the 
departed  mil  be  supplied ;  that  the  kind,  beneficent 
favour  of  Almighty  God  will  still  be  with  us,  and 
that  we  shall  be  borne  along,  and  borne  onward  and 
upward,  on  the  wings  of  His  sustainhig  Providence. 
May  God  grant  that  in  the  time  that  is  before  us, 
there  may  not  be  wanting  to  us  as  wise  men,  as 
good  men  for  our  counsellors,  as  he  was  whose 
funeral  obsequies  we  now  propose  to  celebrate. 

Mr.  Cass  addressed  the  Senate  as  follows : 
Again  and  again,  during  the  present  session,  has  a 
warning  voice  come  from  the  tomb,  saying  to  all 


-o 


21 

of  us,  "  Be  ye  also  ready."  Two  of  our  colleagues 
have  fallen  in  the  midst  of  their  labours,  and  we 
have  followed  them  to  the  narrow  house,  where  all 
must  lie.  In  life  we  are  in  death ;  and  this  lesson, 
which  accompanies  us  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave, 
is  among  those  merciful  dispensations  of  Providence 
which  teach  us  how  transitory  are  the  things  around 
us,  and  how  soon  they  must  be  abandoned  for  an 
existence,  with  no  hope  but  that  which  is  held  out 
by  the  Gospel  of  our  Saviour.  And  now  another 
solemn  warning  is  heard ;  and  this  time  it  will  carry 
mourning  to  the  hearts  of  twenty  millions  of  people. 
Impressively  has  it  been  said  and  repeated  here  to- 
day that  "A  great  man  has  fallen  in  our  Israel." 
In  the  providence  of  God  the  Chief  Magistrate  of 
the  Republic,  to  whom  his  fellow-citizens  had  con- 
fided the  high  executive  duties  of  the  country,  has 
been  suddenly  taken  from  us — ripe,  indeed,  in  years 
and  honours,  and  but  the  other  day  in  the  full  pos- 
session of  his  health,  and  with  the  promise  of  years 
of  faithful  and  patriotic  services  before  him.  The 
statesman,  occupying  as  proud  a  position  as  this 
world  offers  to  human  hopes,  has  been  struck  down 
in  a  crisis  which  demanded  all  his  firmness  and  wis- 
dom. The  conqueror  upon  many  a  battle-field  has 
fought  his  last  fight,  and  been  vanquished.  The 
soldier,  who  had  passed  unharmed  through  many  a 
bloody  fray,  has  fallen  before  the  shaft  of  the  great 


22 

destroyer.  How  truly  are  we  told,  that  tlwre  is  one 
event  unto  all!  The  mighty  and  the  lowly  descend 
to  the  tomb  together,  and  together  are  covered  with 
the  cold  clod  of  the  valley — and  thus  pass  away  the 
honours  and  cares  of  life. 

The  moment  is  too  solemn  and  impressive  for 
laboured  addresses.  Thoughts,  not  words,  are  the 
tribute  which  it  demands.  History  will  do  justice 
to  the  deceased  patriot.  He  will  live  in  the  memory 
of  his  countrymen,  as  he  lived  in  their  hearts  and 
affection.  His  active  life  was  spent  in  their  service, 
and  in  those  scenes  of  peril,  of  exertion,  and  of  ex- 
posure, which  it  is  the  lot  of  the  American  soldier 
to  encounter,  and  which  he  meets  without  a  mur- 
mur* faithful  to  his  duty,  lead  him  where  it  may,  in 
life  or  in  death.  His  splendid  military  exploits 
have  placed  him  among  the  great  Captains  of  the 
age,  and  will  be  an  imperishable  monument  of  hi^^ 
own  fame  and  of  the  glory  of  his  country.  In  the 
disparity  of  force,  they  carry  us  back  for  similar  ex- 
amples to  the  early  ages  of  the  world — to  the  com- 
bats which  history  has  recorded,  and  where  inequa- 
hty  of  numbers  yielded  to  the  exertions  of  skill  and 
valour.  But  I  need  not  recur  to  them :  are  they 
not  written  in  burning  characters  upon  the  heart  of 
every  American  ? 

Strong  in  the  confidence  of  his  countrymen,  he 
was  called  to  the  Chief  Magistracy  at  a  period  of 


®- 


-<§ 


23 

great  difficulty — more  portentous,  indeed,  than  any 
we  have  ever  experienced.  And  now  he  has  been 
called  by  Providence  from  his  high  functions,  mth 
his  mission  unfulfilled,  leaving  us  to  mourn  his  loss 
and  to  honour  his  memory.  His  own  last  words, 
spoken  with  equal  truth  and  sincerity,  constitute 
his  highest  eulogy :  "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,"  said 
the  dying  patriot.  "  I  have  done  my  duty."  The 
integrity  of  his  motives  was  never  assailed  nor  as- 
sailable. He  had  passed  through  life,  and  a  long 
and  active  one,  neither  meriting  nor  meeting  re- 
proach ;  and  in  his  last  hour,  the  conviction  of  the 
honest  discharge  of  his  duty  was  present  to  console 
him,  even  when  the  things  of  this  life  were  fast 
fading  away. 

Let  us  humbly  hope  that  this  afflicting  dispensa- 
tion of  Providence  may  not  be  without  its  salutary 
influence  upon  the  American  peoj)le,  and  of  their 
representatives.  It  comes  in  the  midst  of  a  stormy 
agitation,  threatening  the  most  disastrous  conse- 
quences to  our  country,  and  to  the  great  cause  of 
self-government  through  the  world.  It  is  a  solemn 
appeal,  and  should  be  solemnly  heard  and  heeded. 
His  death,  whose  loss  we  mourn,  will  not  be  in  vain, 
if  it  tend  to  subdue  the  feelings  that  have  been 
excited,  and  to  prepare  the  various  sections  of  our 
country  for  a  mutual  spirit  of  forbearance,  which 
shall  insure  the  safety  of  all,  by  the  zealous  co- 


-d 


§>• 


24 

operation  of  all.  We  could  offer  no  more  appro- 
priate nor  durable  tribute  to  departed  worth,  than 
such  a  sacrifice  of  conflicting  views  upon  the  altar 
of  our  common  country.  In  life  and  in  death  he 
would  have  equally  devoted  himself  to  her  service 
and  her  safety. 

Mr.  Pearce. — Mr.  Secretary,  I  must  ask  the 
Senate  to  pardon  me  for  venturing  to  add  to  what 
has  been  said,  the  expression  of  the  profound  regret 
with  which,  in  common  with  the  Senate  and  the 
country,  I  have  learned  the  sad  event  which  has 
been  announced  to-day. 

A  life  of  public  service,  hardship,  danger,  and 
glory  has  been  suddenly  closed.  That  Providence 
which  protected  the  late  President  amidst  the  perils 
of  his  long,  faithful,  and  splendid  military  career, 
and  which  permitted  him  to  reap  the  harvest  of 
admiration  and  affection  which  had  grown  up  for 
him  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,  has  removed 
him  from  us  before  the  measure  of  his  usefulness 
was  full.  That  life  which  was  ever  devoted  to 
the  service  of  his  country,  was  jdelded  up  while 
he  was  in  the  discharge  of  the  highest  civil  trusts 
— trusts  not  sought  by  him,  but  imposed  upon  him 
]>y  the  people.  To  the  performance  of  those  trusts 
he  had  brought  the  pledges  of  an  unstained  life, 
of  a  pure  and  fervent  patriotism,  of  stern  integrit}^ 


25 

of  a  kind  and  benignant  temper,  of  unyielding  firm- 
ness, and  of  unmixed  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  that 
country  which  he  had  served  so  well,  and  which 
so  freely  and  worthily  bestowed  its  confidence  on 
liim. 

Few  men  have  had  better  fortune  than  he — none 
better  deserved  it.  The  virtues  of  his  simple  and 
modest,  but  heroic  character,  had  so  endeared  him 
to  his  fellow-citizens,  that  I  am  sure  I  may  venture 
to  say,  that,  even  in  the  midst  of  the  political  strife 
which  he  ever  sought  to  moderate  and  soften,  there 
is  not  one  whose  heart  will  not  throb  with  emotion 
when  he  learns  the  death  of  Zachary  Taylor. 

Mr.  King. — Mr.  Secretary,  it  is  not  my  design, 
after  the  eloquent  tribute  that  has  been  paid  to  the 
memory  of  the  deceased  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  add  many  words  to  what  has  already  fallen 
from  the  honourable  gentlemen.  It  was  my  fortune 
to  have  been  personally  and  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  distinguished  individual,  who  has  been 
called  away  from  among  us,  for  more  than  five-and- 
twenty  years  past.  My  relations  with  him,  for  a 
portion  of  that  period,  were  of  such  a  character  as 
enabled  me  to  form,  I  think,  a  correct  estimate  of 
the  man,  and  to  appreciate,  as  I  did  most  highly,  his 
many  estimable  qualities ;  and  I  can  say  that,  in  all 
the  relations  of  life,  he  so  bore  himself  as  to  com- 


26 

mand  the  respect  and  regard  of  his  associates,  of  all 
who  had  the  honour  of  his  acquaintance,  and  the 
devoted  attachment  of  his  numerous  friends.  As  a 
man,  he  was  surpassed  by  none  in  honesty  of  purpose. 
lie  was  without  guile.  As  a  soldier,  all  know,  and 
none  more  than  those  I  address,  that  he  had  won 
laurels  that  would  have  graced  the  brow  of  the  first 
soldier  m  Europe  or  America.  It  was  my  fortune. 
Senators,  to  be  in  Europe  at  the  time  when  the  news 
reached  there,  that  the  gallant  general  of  our  forces 
on  the  Rio  Grande,  the  late  President  of  the  United 
States,  was  surrounded,  or  supposed  to  be  sur- 
rounded, by  an  overwhelming  force;  that  he  was 
cut  off  from  his  su^^plies,  and  was,  with  his  gallant 
band,  in  danger  of  destruction.  Every  American 
heart  beat  with  anxiety  and  fear.  We  felt,  as  Ame- 
ricans should  feel,  that  a  reverse  then  would  cast 
in  some  degree  a  cloud  over  the  country  of  our  birth. 
But  when  the  news  reached  us,  that  the  gallant 
general  of  that  little  band  had  marched  from  his 
position,  regardless  of  the  danger,  had  placed  Point 
Isabel,  where  his  stores  were  de23osited,  in  a  state 
of  security,  retraced  his  footste^DS,  met  and  conquered 
the  foe  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma;  no  man  but  he  who 
was  away  from  his  country  in  a  foreign  land,  could 
have  felt  what  we,  as  American  citizens,  felt  at  those 
tidings.  Senators !  the  gallantry  of  that  man  Avas 
appreciated  not  only  by  his  countrymen,  but  it  was 


•® 


<t- 


27 

felt  and  appreciated  by  the  first  military  men  of 
Europe.  The  living  hero  of  the  age,  the  great  Duke 
of  Welhngton,  declared,  as  Napoleon  had  declared 
of  himself,  on  a  certain  occasion,  "  General  Taylor 
is  a  general,  indeed."  I  therefore,  Senators,  am  not 
surprised  that  the  enthusiastic  sjDirit  of  the  Ameri- 
can people  led  them  to  support  a  man  whose  patriot- 
ism, whose  devotion  to  his  country,  whose  gallantry, 
and  whose  successful  services  on  the  field,  must  have 
endeared  him  to  the  hearts  of  all.  As  a  man,  I  have 
said,  he  was  honest  of  purpose.  His  patriotism,  his 
devotion  to  the  Constitution  of  his  country,  under 
which  he  cherished  and  sustained  our  free  institu- 
tions, I  have  never  questioned.  I  think  I  knew  him 
well ;  and  I  believe  there  was  no  man  more  patriotic. 
If  errors  were  committed  in  the  civil  administration 
of  the  government,  I  shall  draw  the  curtain  over 
them.  No  longer  would  I  feel  justified  in  holding 
them  up  to  public  gaze,  even  if  they  had  been  ten 
times  as  glaring  as  they  were.  The  country  has 
reason  to  deplore  the  death  of  a  great  man ;  and,  I 
must  be  permitted  to  add,  a  good  man.  He  has 
gone  from  among  us,  and  the  afilictive  event  has 
been  appealed  to,  to  induce  us  to  cultivate  and 
cherish  kind  relations.  I  trust  in  God,  that  these 
kind  relations  will  be  cherished,^  and  that  we  shall, 
on  this  day,  vow  on  the  altar  of  our  country,  to  dis- 
card  all  bickering  and  strife,  all  sectional  dissensions. 


■® 


28 

and  live, and  die  as  Americans  should  live  and  die, 
in  support  of  the  Constitution  and  the  Union. 

Mr.  Berrien. — Senators!  I  comply  vnth  a  re- 
quest which  has  been  made  to  me  this  morning  by 
a  respected  associate,  and  obey  the  impulses  of  my 
own  personal  feelings,  in  making  this  brief  trespass 
on  your  time.  It  is  not  my  purpose,  in  these  unpre- 
meditated remarks,  to  pronounce  an  eulogium  on 
the  departed  Chief  Magistrate.  That  has  been 
amply  done  already,  in  terms  at  once  impressive  and 
eloquent.  Nor  do  I  propose  to  indulge  the  expres- 
sion of  individual  and  personal  feeling ;  such  feeling 
may  be  left  appropriately  to  repose  in  the  bosom  of 
him  who  cherishes  it.  Nor  yet  do  I  seek  to  give 
feeble  and  imperfect  utterance  to  a  nation's  grief; 
that  will  be  done  by  our  countrymen  in  their  pri- 
mary assemblages,  as  this  melancholy  intelligence 
flies  with  lightning  speed  to  the  remotest  borders  of 
the  Republic,  and  with  a  freshness,  and  vividness, 
and  force  which  the  feelings  of  a  free  and  sensitive 
people  mil  impart  to  the  expression  of  emotions 
springing  directly  from  their  own  sorrowing  hearts. 
We  should  vainly  attempt  by  anticipation  to  give 
utterance  to  their  feelings.  Still  less  would  I  ven- 
ture to  intrude  upon  the  mourning  inmates  of  that 
domestic  circle,  who  are  now  clustering  round  the 
mortal  remains  of  a  departed  husband  and  father ; 


■4) 


29 

for  the  sorrows  of  widowhood  and  of  orphanage  are 
sacred.  But  concurring,  as  I  do  most  cordially,  in 
the  sentiments  which  have  been  so  touchingly  and 
eloquently  expressed  in  various  portions  of  this 
chamber,  if  I  could  succeed  in  adding  one,  even  the 
slightest  motive — in  furnishing  one,  even  the  feeblest 
incentive,  to  the  suggestion  which  honourable  Sena- 
tors have  urged  of  the  use  which  we  ought  to  make 
of  this  afflictive  dispensation  of  Providence,  my  pur- 
pose will  have  been  accomplished — my  duty  will 
have  been  fulfilled.  In  my  reflections  upon  this 
subject,  I  have  felt  that  this  solemn  event  is,  in  its 
results,  to  be  eminently  productive  of  good  or  of  evil 
to  our  common  country;  and  in  humble  reliance  on 
the  blessing  and  guidance  of  a  beneficent  Provi- 
dence, it  depends  upon  us.  Senators,  and  our  asso- 
ciates, in  the  discharge  of  the  important  trusts 
which  are  committed  to  this  highest  legislative 
assembly  of  a  free  people — it  depends  essentially 
upon  us  and  the  co-ordinate  department  of  the 
government  to  improve  this  afflictive  dispensation 
of  Almighty  God,  to  purposes  at  once  salutary  and 
beneficial  to  the  great  interests  of  the  country.  If 
we  can  feel  that  in  the  sudden  death  of  our  patriot 
chieftain — in  this  abrupt  summons  of  one  who  was 
"  without  fear  and  without  reproach" — in  the  vigour 
of  life,  and  in  the  full  enjojmient  of  the  highest 
honours — the  most  gratifying  reward  which  the  un- 


-® 


m 
30 

bought  homage  of  a  free  people  could  accord  to  him 
— if  we  can  feel  the  solemnity  of  this  sudden  call 
of  an  individual  so  esteemed,  so  honoured,  so  sur- 
rounded with  all  that  could  contribute  to  the  happi- 
ness of  man — if  we  can  truly  a23preciate  the  lesson 
which  such  a  dispensation  is  calculated  to  impart, 
then.  Senators,  consequences  the  most  beneficial  may 
result  from  it.  If  it  shall  teach  us  to  realize  the  com- 
parative littleness  of  sublunary  things — if  it  shall 
enable  us  in  sincerity  to  feel  that  this  transitory  life 
in  which  we  are  sometimes  struggling,  in  the  bitter 
dissensions  which  political  parties  or  sectional  divi- 
sions are  but  too  apt  to  engender — that  the  brief  term 
of  our  continuance  here  is  but  a  single  step  in  the 
series  o'f  infinite  existence — a  mere  point  at  which 
man  j^auses  to  look  around  him  before  he  launches  on 
eternity's  ocean — if  we  can  justly  estimate  ourselves, 
and  rightly  appreciate  the  duties  which  devolve  upon 
us,  we  shall  indeed  have  extracted  from  this  melan- 
choly event  that  salutary  and  beneficent  lesson, 
which,  in  the  goodness  of  Providence,  it  was  de- 
signed to  impart.  If,  on  the  altar  of  our  common 
country,  we  can  sacrifice  the  bitterness  of  party  and 
of  sectional  feeling — if,  at  this  moment,  when  the 
heart  of  a  great  nation  is  palpitating  ^vit\l  anxiety, 
we  can  come  to  the  discharge  of  the  high  and  solemn 
duties  which  devolve  upon  us  with  hearts  purified  by 
affliction,  in  the  singleness  and  sincerity  of  purpose 


■# 


f  » 

31 

and  in  the  humility  of  spirit  which  become  us,  this 
melancholy  disi)ensation  of  Providence  will  indeed 
have  been  productive  of  results  most  salutary  to  the 
great  interests  of  the  American  people.  And  believe 
me,  Senators,  if  a  result  so  propitious  could  have 
been  foreshadowed  to  that  departed  patriot  in  the 
last  struggling  moments  of  his  existence,  it  would 
have  soothed  the  agonies  of  his  dying  hour. 

I  am  permitted  to  say,  in  illustration  of  the  strong 
and  patriotic  feeling  which  animated  him  in  the 
latest  moments  of  his  existence,  even  when  the  light 
of  intellect  w^as  flickering  in  the  socket — I  am  per- 
mitted to  rejDeat  the  expression  of  the  departed  pa- 
triot, as  his  recollections  turned  to  the  recent  visit 
he  had  made  to  the  monument  now  being  erected  to 
the  memory  of  Washington :  "  Let  it  rise,  (he  said ;) 
let  it  ascend  without  interruption ;  let  it  point  to  the 
skies ;  let  it  stand  for  ever  as  a  lasting  monument 
of  the  gratitude  and  affection  of  a  free  people  to  the 
Father  of  his  Country." 

The  resolutions  were  then  unanimously  adopted. 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  by  Mr. 
Young,  their  clerk. 

Mr.  President  :  The  House  of  Representatives 
have  passed  a  Resolution  expressive  of  their  sensi- 
bility at  the  removal  from  this  life  of  Zachary 
Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United  States;  and 


-« 


c 


— — -^ 

32 

appointing  a  committee  on  their  part  to  join  the 
:.oniniittee  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  Senate,  to 
consider  and  report  what  measures  it  may  be  proper 
to  adopt  in  order  to  show  the  respect  and  affection 
of  Congress  for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  de- 
ceased, and  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
his  funeral. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Webster,  the  resolution  of  the  House 
was  unanimously  concurred  in,  and  it  was  ordered  that 
Messrs.  Webster,  Cass,  and  King,  be  the  committee  on 
the  part  of  the  Senate. 

The  Senate  then  adjourned. 


-® 


®- 


HOUSE   OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 
Wednesday,  July  10,  1850. 


The  Speaker  called  the  House  to  order  at  eleven 
o'clock. 

The  Rev.  Doctor  Butler,  Chaplain  of  the  Senate,  made 
the  following  prayer : 

Almighty  God,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of 
lords,  who  only  hath  immortality,  dwelling  in  the 
light  which  no  man  can  approach  unto,  thou  doest 
according  to  thy  will  in  the  army  of  Heaven  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth.  Just  and  true 
are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints.  Clouds  and 
darkness  are  about  thy  throne;  but  righteousness 
and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy  seat! 

Thou  hast  seen  fit,  Almighty  God,  to  take  out  of 
this  world  our  beloved  and  honoured  Chief  Magis- 
trate, the  President  of  these  United  States.  Thou 
didst  cover  his  head  in  the  day  of  battle;  and  thou 
hast  given  his  life  to  the  sickness  that  destroyeth 
at  the  noon-day.  We  desire  to  bow  in  resignation 
to  thy  blessed  will,  and  to  realize  that  thou  doest 

6  33 


i)'  W) 

34 

all  tilings  well.  Now  that  thy  judgments  are 
abroad  in  the  land,  make  us  to  learn  and  love  and 
practise  righteousness. 

We  ask  thy  special  blessing  for  thy  servant  upon 
wliom  th}^  providence  hath  devolved  the  momentous 
duties  of  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  this  Republic. 
Thou  hast  seen  fit  to  summon  him  to  the  great 
duties  of  his  new  position  in  a  crisis  of  gloom,  and 
storm,  and  danger.  Let  thy  fatherly  hand  ever  be 
over  him.  Let  thy  Holy  Spirit  ever  be  with  him. 
Give  him  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding; 
the  spirit  of  counsel  and  ghostly  strength ;  the  spirit 
of  knowledge  and  true  godUness;  and  fill  him  with 
thy  holy  fear  now  and  for  ever.  Preserve  him  in 
health  and  prosperity;  and  so  bless  his  adminis- 
tration, that  all  the  States  of  this  vast  Republic,  re- 
conciled, happy,  and  fraternal,  may  be  able  unitedly 
to  adore  Thee  for  thy  goodness,  and  to  declare  that 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  is  with  us — the  God  of  Jacob  is 
our  refuge ! 

Bless  the  deliberations  of  the  Senate  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress  assembled,  to  the  advance- 
ment of  thy  glory,  the  good  of  thy  church,  the 
safety,  honour,  and  welfare  of  thy  people;  that 
peace  and  happiness,  truth  and  justice,  religion  and 
piety  may  be  established  among  us  for  all  gene- 
rations. 

Look  with  pity  upon  the  sorrows  of  thy  servants, 


£- 


•^ 


m  f 

35 

the  family  of  the  departed  Chief  Magistrate  of  this 
Land.  Remember  them,  0  Lord,  in  mercy ;  sanctify 
thy  fatherly  correction  to  them;  endow  their  souls 
with  patience  under  their  affliction,  and  with  resig- 
nation to  thy  blessed  will;  comfort  them  with  a 
sense  of  thy  goodness;  lift  up  thy  countenance 
upon  them,  and  give  them  peace. 

Grant,  0  Lord,  that  when  we  shall  be  summoned 
to  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  we  may  die  in  the  com- 
munion of  thy  church,  in  the  confidence  of  a  certain 
faith,  in  the  comfort  of  a  religious  and  holy  hope,  in 
favour  with  thee,  our  God,  and  in  charity  with 
the  world. 

All  which  we  ask  and  offer  in  the  name  and  for 
the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen! 

The  Speaker  then  vacated  the  Chair. 
A  pause  of  some  minutes  followed. 

At  eighteen  minutes  past  eleven  o'clock 
The  Speaker  resumed  the  Chau'. 

Mr.  Stanly  moved  that  the  reading  of  the  Journal  of 
yesterday  be  dispensed  with. 
Ordered  accordingly. 

George  P.  Fisher,  Esq.,  appeared  at  the  bar  and  stated 
that  he  was  directed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
to  deliver  to  the  House  of  Representatives  a  message  in 
writing. 


36 

The  message  was  read. 

[See  it  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Senate.] 

The  two  Houses  of  Congress  having  assembled  in  the 
Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  the  oath  of 
office  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  having  been  adminis- 
tered by  Chief-Justice  Cranch  to  Millard  Fillmore, 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  President  and 
Senate  having  retired  from  the  Hall, 

A  message  in  writing  was  received  from  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  by  George  P.  Fisher,  Esq.,  which 
was  read. 

[See  the  message  above,  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
Senate.] 

Whereupon  Mr.  Conrad  of  Louisiana  rose  and  ad- 
dressed the  House  as  follows: 

Mr.  Speaker  : — In  accordance  Avith  a  wish  ex- 
pressed by  many  members,  I  have  prepared  a  reso- 
lution adapted  to  the  melancholy  event  which  has 
just  been  announced,  and  which  I  propose  to  ofto/ 
to  the  House.  Before  doing  so,  however,  I  would 
do  violence  to  my  own  feelings,  as  a  representative 
of  that  State  of  which  the  illustrious  deceased  was 
a  citizen  and  the  brightest  ornament,  if  I  did  not 
offer  some  remarks  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 
Seldom  has  an  event  occurred  which  more  strik- 
ingly illustrates  the  uncertainty  of  life  and  the  in- 
stability of  all  earthly  greatness  than  the  one  we 
are  called  upon  to  deplore. 


<*• 


37 

A  few  days  ago  General  Taylor  was  in  his  usual 
robust  health.  On  the  fourth  of  this  month  he 
attended  some  ceremonies  which  took  place  in  com- 
memoration of  the  anniversary  of  our  national  in- 
dependence. As  the  ceremonies  occurred  in  the 
open  air,  it  is  believed  that  the  exposure  to  a  heat 
of  unusual  intensity  produced  the  malady  which, 
at  about  half-past  ten  o'clock  last  night,  terminated 
his  earthly  career.  A  great  patriot  has  fallen !  A 
great  benefactor  of  his  country  has  departed  from 
among  us !  In  a  few  hours  a  nation  will  be  plunged 
in  mourning,  and  a  voice  of  lamentation  will  ascend 
from  twenty  millions  of  people ! 

It  is  not  my  purpose,  Mr.  Speaker,  to  dwell  at 
length  on  the  public  career  and  military  achieve- 
ments of  General  Taylor.  These  belong  to  the 
history  of  his  country,  and  are  deeply  engraven  on 
the  memories  and  hearts  of  his  countrymen.  I 
prefer  to  dwell  on  those  minor  traits  of  his  cha- 
racter which,  as  they  exert  a  less  perceptible  influ- 
ence on  the  destinies  of  nations,  are  too  often  over- 
looked by  the  historian. 

General  Taylor's  was  not  one  of  those  characters, 
of  which  history  furnishes  many  conspicuous  ex- 
amples, in  which  many  great  defects  are  concealed 
amid  the  dazzling  splendour  of  a  single  virtue.  On 
the  luminous  disc  of  his  character  no  dark  spots  are 
perceptible.    His  biographer  will  have  no  great  fol- 


9— 


38 

lies  to  conceal,  or  fixults  to  excuse,  or  crimes  to  pal- 
liate or  condemn.  There  is  no  dark  passage  in  Jiis 
life  which  justice  will  be  called  upon  to  condemn, 
or  moraUty  to  reprove,  or  humanity  to  deplore. 
Like  the  finished  production  of  an  artist,  the  details 
of  the  picture  are  as  correct  and  as  beautiful  as  the 
general  outline  is  grand  and  imposing. 

His  heroic  courage  and  military  genius  are  those 
qualities  to  which  he  is  chiefly  indebted  for  his 
fame,  and  yet  those  who  knew  him  best  would  not 
consider  them  the  prominent  attributes  of  his  cha- 
racter. On  the  contrary,  this  courage  appeared 
only  an  adventitious  quality,  occasionally  developed 
by  circumstances  requiring  its  exercise.  His  pro- 
minent characteristics,  always  manifest,  were  an 
unaffected  modesty,  combined  with  extraordinary 
firmness,  a  stern  sense  of  duty,  a  love  of  justice 
tempered  and  softened  by  a  spirit  of  universal  be- 
nevolence, an  inflexible  integrity,  a  truthfulness  that 
knew  no  dissimulation,  a  sincerity  and  frankness 
which  rendered  concealment  or  disguise  absolutely 
impossible. 

These  were  the  traits  that  endeared  him  to  his 
friends,  and  inspired  ^Yith.  confidence  all  who  ap- 
proached him.  These  were  the  quahties  which  in 
private  life  made  him  the  upright  man,  the  valuable 
citizen,  the  devoted  friend,  the  aflectionate  husband, 
the  fond  father,  the  kind  and  indulgent  master,  and 


.. 


39 

which,  brought  into  public  life,  made  him  the  dis- 
interested patriot,  and  the  faithful  and  conscientious 
magistrate.  His  martial  courage  was  set  off'  and 
relieved  by  this  group  of  civic  virtues,  as  the  bril- 
liancy of  the  diamond  is  enhanced  by  the  gems  of 
softer  ray  by  which  it  is  encircled. 

The  mass  of  the  j)eople  in  all  countries  possess 
a  wonderful  sagacity  in  detecting  the  prominent 
traits  of  their  distinguished  men.  The  American 
people  are  inferior  to  none  in  this  quality ;  and  they 
soon  discovered  and  appreciated  the  merits  of  Ge- 
neral Taylor.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that 
they  called  him,  almost  by  acclamation,  to  fill  the 
first  office  in  their  gift. 

It  is  so  common  for  the  most  ambitious  men  to 
affect  a  reluctance  in  accepting  those  very  honours 
which  they  have  long  and  ardently  coveted,  that 
we  are  apt  to  consider  all  such  professions  as  indi- 
cating feelings  the  very  reverse  of  those  they 
express.  Those,  however,  who  knew  General  Tay- 
lor well,  entertained  no  doubt  of  the  entire  sin- 
cerity of  his  declarations  when  he  was  called  upon 
to  be  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  President. 

The  excitement  of  politics  had  no  charm  for  one 
who  had  always  been  extremely  averse  to  political 
controversy.  The  pomp  and  splendour  of  the  pre- 
sidential mansion  had  no  temptations  for  one  who 
was   always   remarkable  for  the   simplicity  of  his 


-^ 


«■ 


40 

tastes  and  the  frugality  of  his  habits.  Add  to  this, 
that  his  iinafTected  modesty  and  inexperience  in 
pul)hc  affairs  led  him  sincerely  to  distrust  his  abi- 
lity to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  high  and  respon- 
sible station. 

At  no  period  of  our  history,  indeed,  was  the  exe- 
cutive chair  surrounded  by  more  difficulties  than 
those  which  encompassed  it  when  he  was  called  on 
to  occupy  it.  Party  spirit  was  still  raging  with 
unabated  fury;  a  dark  cloud  was  visible  on  the 
horizon,  which  portended  that  a  storm  of  unusual 
violence  was  approaching,  and  Avould  shortly  burst 
forth.  Under  such  circumstances,  a  man  even  of 
stouter  heart  than  his  might  well  hesitate  before 
he  consented  to  embark  on  this  "  sea  of  troubles." 
Yielding,  however,  to  the  pubHc  voice,  and  to  the 
arguments  and  persuasion  of  his  friends,  he  did 
embark.  The  tempest  arose ;  and  in  the  midst  of 
its  fury,  while  the  vessel  of  state  was  tossed  to 
and  fro,  and  all  eyes  were  turned  with  a  confidence 
not  unmingled  with  anxiety  on  the  pilot  who,  calm 
and  collected,  guided  her  course,  that  pilot  was  sud- 
denly swept  from  the  helm  ! 

Here  let  us  pause  !  Let  us  avail  ourselves  of  the 
momentary  calm  which  this  sad  event  has  produced, 
and  calmly  survey  the  perils  that  surround  us — the 
lowering  heavens  above,  the  raging  Ijillows  Ijelow, 
the  breakers  on  our  right,  the  shoals  on  our  left. 


i^ 


m ■ — ^ ^ ® 

41 

Let  us  prepare  to  meet  these  dangers  like  men  and 
like  patriots,  to  overcome  them.  Let  us  not  despair 
of  the  Republic.  On  the  contrary,  let  us  determine 
that  she  mtist  be  saved,  and  she  will  be  saved.  The 
clouds  that  overhang  us  mil  be  dispersed,  and  the 
glorious  stars  of  our  Union  will  again  shine  forth 
with  their  wonted  splendour. 

I  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  resolutions  : — 

Whereas,  it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  remove 
from  this  life  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the 
United  States,  the  House  of  Representaiives,  sharing  in 
the  general  sorrow  which  this  melancholy  event  must  pro- 
duce, is  desirous  of  manifesting  its  sensibility  on  the  occa- 
sion ;  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of members, 

be  appointed  on  the  part  of  this  House,  to  meet  such  com- 
mittee as  may  be  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  Senate,  to 
consider  and  report  what  measures  it  may  be  deemed  proper 
to  adopt  in  order  to  show  the  respect  and  affection  of  Con- 
gress for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  deceased,  and  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  his  funeral. 

Resolved,  That  this  resolution  be  communicated  to  the 
Senate. 

Mr.  WiNTHROP  rose  to  second  the  resolutions,  and  pro- 
ceeded as  follows : 

It  would  not  be  easily  excused,  Mr.  Speaker,  by 
those  whom  I  represent  in  this  Hall,  if  there  were 
no  Massachusetts  voice  to  respond  to  the  eulogy 

6  B2 

i)  I  g) 


42 

which  has  been  pronounced  by  Louisiana  upon  her 
iUustrious  and  lamented  son.  Indeed,  neither  my 
personal  feelings  nor  my  political  relations  either  to 
the  living  or  to  the  dead  M^ould  permit  me  to  remain 
altogether  silent  on  this  occasion.  And  yet,  sir,  I 
confess,  I  know  not  how  to  say  any  thing  satisfac- 
tory to  myself,  or  suitable  to  the  circumstances  of 
the  hour. 

The  event  which  has  just  been  officially  an- 
nounced, has  come  upon  us  so  suddenly — has  so 
overwhelmed  us  with  mingled  emotions  of  surprise 
and  sadness — that  all  ordinary  forms  of  expression 
seem  to  lose  their  significance,  and  one  would  fain 
bow  his  head  to  the  blow  in  silence,  until  its  first 
shock  has  in  some  degree  passed  away. 

Certainly,  sir,  no  one  can  fail  to  realize  that  a 
most  momentous  and  mysterious  Providence  has 
been  manifested  in  our  midst.  At  a  moment  when, 
more  than  almost  ever  before  in  our  history,  the 
destinies  of  our  country  seemed,  to  all  human  sight, 
to  Ijc  inseparably  associated  with  the  character  and 
conduct  of  its  Chief  Executive  Magistrate,  that 
Magistrate  has  been  summoned  from  his  post,  by 
the  only  messenger  whose  mandates  he  might  not 
have  defied,  and  has  been  withdra-\vn  for  ever  from 
the  sphere  of  human  existence  ! 

There  are  those  of  us,  I  need  not  say,  sir,  who 
had  looked  to  him  with  aifection  and  reverence  as 


*« 


43 

our  chosen  leader  and  guide  in  the  difficulties  and 
perplexities  by  which  we  are  surrounded.  There 
are  those  of  us,  who  had  relied  confidently  on  him, 
as  upon  no  other  man,  to  uphold  the  Constitution  and 
maintain  the  Union  of  the  country  in  that  future,  upon 
which  "shadows,  clouds  and  darkness"  may  well 
be  said  to  rest.  And,  as  we  now  behold  him,  borne 
away  by  the  hand  of  God  from  our  sight,  in  the 
very  hour  of  peril,  we  can  hardly  repress  the  excla- 
mation, which  was  addressed  to  the  departing  pro- 
phet of  old  :  "  My  father,  my  father !  the  chariot  of 
Israel,  and  the  horsemen  thereof!" 

Let  me  not  even  seem  to  imply,  however,  that 
the  death  of  General  Taylor  is  any  thing  less  than 
a  national  loss.  There  may  be,  and  we  know  there 
is,  in  this  event,  a  privileged  and  preeminent  grief 
for  his  immediate  family  and  relatives,  to  which  we 
can  only  offer  the  assurance  of  our  heartfelt  sj^mpar 
thy.  There  is,  too,  a  peculiar  sorrow  for  his  politi- 
cal friends  and  supporters,  which  we  would  not 
affect  to  conceal.  But  the  whole  people  of  the 
United  States  will  feel  and  will  bear  witness,  when 
they  receive  these  melancholy  tidings,  that  they 
have  all  been  called  to  sustain  a  most  afflicting 
National  bereavement. 

I  hazard  nothing,  sir,  in  saying,  that  the  roll  of 
our  Chief  Magistrates,  since  1789,  illustrious  as  it 
is,  presents  the  name  of  no  man,  who  has  enjoyed 


*■ 


«. 


44 

<a  higher  reputation  A^dth  his  contemporaries,  or  who 
will  enjoy  a  higher  reputation  with  posterity,  for 
some  of  the  best  and  noblest  qualities  which  adorn 
our  nature,  than  Zacuary  Taylor. 

His  indomitable  courage,  his  unimpeachable 
honesty,  his  Spartan  simplicity  and  sagacity,  his 
frankness,  kindness,  moderation,  and  magnanimity, 
his  fidelity  to  his  friends,  his  generosity  and  human- 
ity to  his  enemies,  the  purity  of  his  private  life,  the 
patriotism  of  his  public  principles,  will  never  cease 
to  be  cherished  in  the  grateful  remembrance  of  all 
just  men  and  all  true-hearted  Americans. 

As  a  Soldier  and  a  General,  his  fame  is  associated 
with  some  of  the  proudest  and  most  thrilling  scenes 
of  our  military  history.  He  may  be  literally  said  to 
have  conquered  every  enemy  he  has  met,  save  only 
that  last  enemy,  to  wdiich  we  must  all,  in  turn,  sur- 
render. 

As  a  Civilian  and  Statesman,  during  the  brief 
period  in  which  he  has  been  permitted  to  enjoy  the 
transcendent  honours  which  a  grateful  country  had 
awarded  him,  he  has  given  proof  of  a  devotion  to 
duty,  of  an  attachment  to  the  Constitution  and  the 
Union,  of  a  patriotic  determination  to  maintain  the 
Peace  of  our  country,  which  no  trials  or  temptations 
could  shake.  He  has  borne  his  faculties  meekly, 
but  firmly.  He  has  been  "  clear  in  his  great  office." 
He  has  knoAni  no  local  partialities  or  prejudices. 


•m 


45 

but  has  proved  himself  capable  of  embracing  his 
whole  country  in  the  comprehensive  affections  and 
regards  of  a  large  and  generous  heart. 

But  he  has  fallen  almost  at  the  threshold  of  his  civil 
career,  and  at  a  moment  when  some  of  us  were  looking 
to  him  to  render  services  to  the  country,  which  we  had 
thought  no  other  man  could  perform.  Certainly,  sir, 
he  has  died  too  soon  for  everybody  but  himself.  We 
can  hardly  find  it  in  our  hearts  to  repine,  that  the 
good  old  man  has  gone  to  his  rest.  We  would  not 
disturb  the  repose  in  which  the  brave  old  soldier  sleeps. 
His  part  in  life  had  been  long  and  faithfully  performed. 
In  his  own  last  words,  "  he  had  always  done  his  duty, 
and  he  was  not  afraid  to  die."  But  our  regrets  for 
ourselves  and  for  our  country  are  deep,  strong,  and 
unfeigned.     "  He  should  have  died  hereafter." 

Sir,  it  was  a  fit  and  beautiful  circumstance  in  the 
close  of  such  a  career,  that  his  last  official  appear- 
ance was  at  the  celebration  of  the  Birthday  of  our 
National  Independence,  and,  more  especially,  that 
his  last  public  act  was  an  act  of  homage  to  the 
memory  of  Aim,  whose  example  he  had  ever  revered 
and  followed,  and  who,  as  he  himself  so  well  said, 
"  was,  by  so  many  titles,  the  Father  of  his  Country." 

And  now,  Mr.  Speaker,  let  us  hope  that  this 
event  may  teach  us  all  how  vain  is  our  reliance 
upon  any  arm  of  flesh.  Let  us  hope  that  it  may 
impress  us  with  a  solemn  sense  of  our  National  as 


®- 


46 

well  as  individual  dependence  on  a  higher  than 
human  Power.  Let  us  remember,  sir,  that  "the 
Lord  is  king,  be  the  people  never  so  impatient; 
that  he  sitteth  between  the  cherubim,  be  the  earth 
never  so  unquiet."  Let  us — in  language  which  is 
now  hallowed  to  us  all,  as  having  been  the  closing 
and  crowninGf  sentiment  of  the  brief  but  admirable 
Liaugural  Address  with  which  this  illustrious 
patriot  opened  his  presidential  term,  and  which 
it  is  my  privilege  to  read  at  this  moment  from  the 
very  copy  from  which  it  was  originally  read  by  him- 
self to  the  American  people,  on  the  5th  day  of 
March,  1849 — let  us,  in  language  in  which  "he, 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh" — "  Let  us  invoice  a  contimo- 
ance  of  the  same  Protecting  Care  iclikh  lias  led  us 
from  small  heginnings  to  the  eminence  ive  this  day  oc- 
cupy ;  and  let  us  seek  to  desei've  that  continuance  by 
prudeiwe  and  moderation  in  our  councils ;  by  well- 
directed  attempts  to  assuage  the  bitterness  u'hich  too 
often  marJvS  unavoidable  differences  of  opinion ;  by  the 
promulgation  and  prcoctice  of  just  and  liberal  princir 
pies;  aiul  by  an  enlarged  patriotism,  which  sJuxll  ac- 
hnoioledge  no  limits  but  those  of  our  own  icide-spread 
Rep^ablic." 

Mr.  Baker  said : — 

Mr.  Speaker  : — It  is  often  said  of  sorrow,  that, 
like  death,  it  levels  all  distinctions.     The  humblest 


.® 


«— ^ — . _ _ — _ — _„^ 

47 

heart  can  heave  a  sigh  as  deep  as  the  proudest ;  and 
I  avail  myself  of  this  mournful  privilege  to  swell 
tlie  accents  of  grief  which  have  been  poured  forth 
to-day  with  a  larger  though  not  more  sincere  utter- 
ance. A  second  time  since  the  formation  of  this 
Government  a  President  of  the  United  States  has 
been  stricken  by  death  in  the  performance  of  his 
great  duties.  The  blow  which  strikes  the  man  falls 
upon  a  nation's  heart,  and  the  words  of  saddened 
praise  which  falls  upon  our  ears  to-day,  and  here, 
are  but  echoes  of  the  thoughts  that  throng  in  the 
hearts  of  the  millions  that  mourn  him  everywliere. 
You  have  no  doubt  observed,  sir,  that  in  the  first 
moments  of  a  great  loss  the  instincts  of  affection 
prompt  us  to  summon  up  the  good  and  great  quali- 
ties of  those  for  whom  we  weep.  It  is  a  wise  ordi- 
nation of  Divine  Providence ;  a  generous  pride  tem- 
pers and  restrains  the  bitterness  of  grief,  and  noble 
deeds  and  heroic  virtues  shed  a  consoling  light  upon 
the  tomb.  It  is  in  this  spirit  that  I  recur  for  an 
instant,  and  for  an  instant  only,  to  the  events  of  a 
history  fresh  in  the  remembrance  of  the  nation  and 
the  world.  The  late  President  of  the  United  States 
has  devoted  his  whole  life  to  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try. Of  a  nature  singularly  unambitious,  he  seems 
to  have  combined  the  utmost  gentleness  of  manner 
with  the  greatest  firmness  of  purj)ose.  For  more 
than  thirty  years  the  duties  of  his  station  confined 


-# 


48 

liim  to  a  hipliere  where  only  those  who  knew  him 
moat  intimately  could  jierceive  the  qualities  which 
danger  quickened  and  brightened  into  sublimity  and 
grandeur.  In  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain  he 
was  but  a  captain ;  yet  the  little  band  who  defended 
Fort  Harrison  saw  amid  the  smoke  of  battle  that 
they  were  commanded  by  a  man  fit  for  his  station. 
In  the  Florida  campaign  he  commanded  but  a  Ijri- 
gade;  yet  his  leadership  not  only  evinced  courage 
and  conduct,  but  inspired  these  qualities  in  the 
meanest  soldier  in  his  ranks.  He  begun  the  Mexi- 
can campaign  at  the  head  only  of  a  division;  yet 
as  the  events  of  the  w^ar  swelled  that  division  into 
an  army,  so  the  crisis  kindled  him  into  higher  re- 
solves and  nobler  actions,  till  the  successive  steps 
of  advance  became  the  assured  march  of  victory. 

Mr.  Speaker,  as  we  review  the  brilliant  and  stir- 
ring passages  of  the  events  to  which  I  refer,  it  is 
not  in  the  power  even  of  sudden  grief  to  suppress 
the  admiration  which  thrills  our  hearts.  AVlien,  sir, 
has  there  been  such  a  camjDaign — when  such  sol- 
diers to  be  led — and  when  such  qualities  of  leader- 
ship so  variously  combined  ?  How  simple,  but  yet 
how  grand,  was  the  announcement,  "  In  whatever 
force  the  enemy  may  be,  I  shall  fight  him."  It  gave 
Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  to  our  banner.  How  stead- 
fast the  resolution  that  impelled  the  advance  to 
Mont-erey!      How   stirring   the   courage  wdiich  .be- 


#■ 


49 

leaguered  the  frowning  city — which  stormed  the 
barri-caded  street — which  carried  the  embattled 
heights,  and  won  and  kept  the  whole!  Nor,  sir, 
can  we  forget  that  in  the  flush  of  victory,  the  gen- 
tle heart  stayed  the  bold  hand,  while  the  conquer- 
ing soldier  offered  sacrifices  on  the  altar  of  pity, 
amid  all  the  exultation  of  triumph. 

Sir,  I  may  not  stop  to  speak  of  the  achievements 
of  Buena  Vista :  they  are  deeds  that  will  never  die 
— it  was  the  great  event  of  the  age,  a  contest  of 
races  and  institutions.  An  army  of  volunteers, 
engaged  not  in  an  impetuous  advance,  but  in  a 
stern  defence  of  chosen  ground  against  superior 
force,  and  in  a  last  extremity — men  who  had  never 
seen  fire  faced  the  foe  with  the  steadiness  of  vete- 
rans. Sir,  as  long  as  those  frowning  heights  and 
bloody  ravines  shall  remain,  these  recollections  will 
endure,  and  with  them,  the  name  of  the  man  who 
steadied  every  rank,  and  kindled  every  eye  by  the 
indomitable  resolution  which  would  not  yield,  and 
the  exalted  sj)irit  which  rose  highest  amid  the  great- 
est perils.  It  was  from  scenes  like  these  he  was 
called  to  the  Chief  Magistracy.  It  was  a  summons 
unexpected  and  unsought — the  spontaneous  expres- 
sion of  a  noble  confidence,  the  just  reward  of  great 
actions.  It  may  not  be  proper  to  speak  here  and 
now  of  the  manner  which  these  new  duties  were 
executed ;  but  I  may  say,  that  here,  as  everywhere 


'm 


50 

else,  he  exhibited  the  same  finnness  and  decision 
which  had  marked  his  life.  He  was  honest  and 
unostentatious;  he  obeyed  the  law  and  loved  the 
Constitution ;  he  dealt  with  difficult  questions  with 
a  singleness  of  purpose  which  is  the  truest  pilot 
amid  storms.  Nor  can  it  be  doubted  that  when  im- 
partial history  shall  record  the  events  of  his  admi- 
nistration, they  will  be  found  worthy  of  his  past 
life,  and  a  firm  foundation  for  his  future  renown. 

You  remember,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  when  the  great 
Athenian  philosopher  was  inquired  of  by  the  Lydian 
king  as  to  who  was  the  happiest  among  men,  he 
declared  that  no  man  should  Ije  pronounced  happy 
till  his  death.  The  President  of  the  United  States 
has  so  finished  a  noble  life,  as  to  justify  the  pride 
and  admiration  of  his  countrymen — he  has  faced 
the  last  enemy  with  a  manly  firmness  and  a  be- 
coming resolution.  He  died  where  an  American 
citizen  would  most  desire  to  die — not  amid  embat- 
tled hosts  and  charging  squadrons,  but  amid  weep- 
ing friends  and  an  anxious  nation — in  the  house 
provided  by  its  gratitude,  only  to  be  taken  thence, 
to  a  "house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens." 

Sir,  in  the  death  which  has  caused  so  much  dis- 
may, there  is  a  becoming  resemblance  to  the  life 
which  has  created  so  much  confidence.  His  closing 
hours  were  marked  mth  a  beautiful  calmness ;  his 


(»■ 


f)      '  I  '    '  -jl 

51 

last  expressions  indicated  a  manly  sense  of  his  own 
worth,  and  a  consciousness  that  he  had  done  his 
duty.  Nor  can  I  omit  to  remark,  that  it  is  this 
sense  of  the  obligation  of  duty  which  appears  to 
have  been  the  true  basis  of  his  character.  In  boy- 
hood and  in  age — as  Captain  and  as  General — 
whether  defending  a  fort  against  savages,  or  exer- 
cising the  functions  of  the  Chief  Magistracy,  duty, 
rather  than  glory — self-approval,  rather  than  re- 
nown, have  prompted  the  deeds  which  have  made 
him  immortal, 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  character  upon  which  death 
has  just  set  his  seal  is  filled  with  beautiful  and  im- 
pressive contrasts; — a  warrior,  he  loved  peace;  a 
man  of  action,  he  sighed  for  retirement.  Amid  the 
events  which  crowned  him  with  fame,  he  counseled 
a  withdrawal  of  our  troops.  And,  whether  at  the 
head  of  armies,  or  in  the  Chair  of  State,  he  appeared 
as  utterly  unconscious  of  his  great  renown  as  if  no 
banners  had  drooped  at  his  word,  or  as  if  no  gleam 
of  glory  shone  through  his  whitened  hair.  It  is  re- 
lated of  Epaminondas,  that  when  fatally  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Mantinea,  they  bore  him  to  a  height 
from  whence,  with  fading  glance,  he  surveyed  the 
fortunes  of  the  fight,  and  when  the  field  was  woi^, 
laid  himself  down  to  die;  the  friends  who  gathered 
around  him  wept  his  early  fall,  and  passionately  ex- 
pressed their  sorrow  that  he  died  childless.     "  Not 


52 

so/'  said  the  hero,  with  his  last  breath,  "for  do  I 
not  leave  two  fair  daughters,  Leuctra  and  Mantinea?" 
General  Taylor  is  more  fortunate,  since  he  leaves 
an  excellent  and  most  worthy  family  to  deplore  his 
loss  and  inherit  his  glory.  Nor  is  he  fortunate  in 
this  only,  since,  like  Ej)aminondas,  he  leaves  not 
only  two  battles,  but  four — Palo  Alto,  Resaca, 
Monterey,  Buena  Vista — the  grand  creations  of  his 
genius  and  valour,  to  be  remembered  as  long  as 
truth  and  courage  appeal  to  the  human  heart. 

Mr.  Speaker,  the  occasion  and  the  scene  impress 
upon  us  a  deep  sense  of  the  instability  of  all  human 
concerns,  so  beautifully  alluded  to  by  my  friend 
from  Massachusetts,  [Mr.  Winthrop.]  The  great 
southern  Senator  is  no  longer  among  us.  The 
President  during  whose  admmistration  the  war 
commenced,  sleeps  in  "the  house  appointed  for  all 
the  living ;"  and  the  great  soldier  who  led  the  ad- 
vance and  assured  the  triumph,  "lies  like  a  warrior 
taking  his  rest."  Ah!  sir,  if  in  this  assemblage, 
there  is  a  man  whose  heart  beats  with  a  tumultuous 
and  unrestrained  ambition,  let  him  to-day  stand  by 
the  bier  upon  which  that  lifeless  body  is  laid,  and 
learn  how  much  of  human  greatness  fades  in  an 
hour;  but  if  there  be  another  man  here  whose 
fainting  heart  shrinks  from  a  noble  purpose,  let  him, 
too,  visit  those  sacred  remains,  to  be  reminded  how 
much  there  is  in  true  glory  that  can  never  die. 


-i 


53 

Mr.  Bayly,  taking  the  floor,  said : 

Mr.  Speaker:  Representing  in  part  the  native 
State  of  the  illustrious  dead,  it  may  not  be  improper 
for  me,  in  behalf  of  her  delegation,  to  add  a  word  to 
what  has  already  been  said.  However  much  she 
may  have  differed  with  him  while  living,  there  is 
not  one  that  mourns  more  deeply  his  sudden  death. 
No  State  felt  a  loftier  pride  in  his  military  achieve- 
ments, or  admired  more  his  private  virtues.  None 
will  drop  a  tear  of  more  heartfelt  sorrow  upon  his 
bier. 

I  hope  it  will  not  be  deemed  inappropriate  for  me 
to  indulge  in  some  reflections  suggested  by  the  occa- 
sion. For  the  second  time,  Mr.  Speaker,  in  our 
political  history,  our  national  government  is  to  be 
subjected  to  the  trial  of  being  administered  by  a 
President  not  elected  by  the  people  to  that  office. 
The  first  was  severe  enough  ;  but  this  must  be  still 
more  so.  How  different  is  our  situation  now  from 
what  it  was  then  !  Then,  it  is  true,  we  were  in  a 
condition  of  high  political  excitement.  But  it  was 
the  elevation  or  downfall  of  parties  which  depended 
upon  the  result.  Now  we  are  in  the  midst  of  an 
angry  sectional  strife,  threatening  the  very  existence 
of  the  government  itself  If  that  crisis  required 
prudence,  moderation,  and  wisdom  to  insure  success 
to  the  experiment,  how  much  more  will  the  one  in 
which  we  now  find  ourselves  demand  the   exercise 

m  (& 


64 

of  those  high  qualities  ]  Sir,  in  the  very  midst  of 
the  tempest,  when  the  storm  is  liowling  about  us, 
and  when  all  is  uncertainty  and  alarm,  the  captain 
has  been  unexpectedly  swept  from  the  deck,  and  the 
second  in  command  has  just  taken  charge  of  the 
helm.  If  this  loss  has  added  to  their  anxiety, 
it  but  increases  the  obligation  of  fidelity  on  the 
part  of  the  crew,  upon  -whose  fidelity  at  last  the 
safety  of  the  ship  depends.  Sir,  we,  that  crew,  owe 
it  to  ourselves,  to  those  who  have  trusted  us  where 
we  are — we  owe  it  to  mankind  to  save  her  from  her 
perils. 

Heretofore,  when  deluges  have  swept  over  the 
eastern  continent,  obliterating  the  vestiges  of  liberty, 
our  country  has  been  looked  to  as  the  Mount  Ararat, 
upon  which  the  Ark,  laden  with  all  that  was  dear 
to  freedom,  might  rest  with  safety.  Shall  we  now 
fan  the  infernal  fires  which  are  kindling  in  its  bosom, 
and  convert  it  into  a  terrible  volcano,  eructating  its 
dreadful  lava,  and  spreading  ruin  and  devastation 
around  ?  My  ardent  prayer  is,  that  there  is  still 
enough  of  the  spirit  of  our  fathers  among  us  to  save 
mankind  from  this  awful  catastrophe. 

Sir,  as  much  as  I  have  always  admired  our  insti- 
tutions, I  am  free  to  admit  that  I  have  never  seen 
their  beauties  in  bolder  relief  than  to-day.  The 
scene  which  has  just  been  enacted  before  us  has  con- 
verted my  admiration,  as  I  douljt  not  it  has  that  of 


•% 


f  gl 

65 

all  of  us,  almost  into  idolatry  itself.     In  the  midst 
of  such  a  crisis  as  the  Union  of  these  States  never 
found  itself  in  before — one  threatening  its  downfall — 
in  the  very  focus  of  the  excitement  which  has  pro- 
duced it,  we  have  seen  the  executive  branch  of  the 
government,  with  all  of  its  enormous  power,  pass, 
without  the  conflict  of  dynasties,  so  quietly  from  one 
set  of  hands  to  another,  that  but   for  the  sadness 
which  rests  ujDon  the  brows  of  those  around  me,  no 
one  would  conjecture  that  any  thing  unusual  had 
occurred !     Where  else  could  such  a  scene  be  wit- 
nessed ?     In  the  history  of  what  other  government 
is  its  parallel  to  be  found  ?     Is  there  not  enough — I 
appeal  to  my  countrymen — in  the  reflections  sug- 
gested by  what  is  passing  around  us,  to  awaken  the 
nation  to  a  sense  of  that  justice   and  patriotism  by 
w^hich  alone  can  the  blessings  we  enjoy  be  preserved 
to  ourselves  and  mankind? 

Mr.  HiLLiARD  rose  and  said : 

Mr.  Speaker,  at  the  suggestion  of  those  in  whose 
judgment  I  have  confidence,  I  rise  to  offer  an  humble 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  great  man  who  has 
just  fallen  in  our  midst.  If  he  were  living,  I  should 
leave  others  to  eulogize  him ;  as  he  is  dead,  I  choose 
to  sj)eak  of  him.  And  yet  I  am  so  overwhelmed  by 
the  event  which  has  just  occurred,  that  I  can 
scarcely  find  language  to  express  what  I  feel.    Some 


-® 


56 


events  are  so  impressive  that  they  leave  little  occar 
siou  for  words — they  are  too  great  to  be  enlarged  on. 
I  am  almost  ready  to  follow  the  example  of  a  great 
French  orator,  who,  when  called  on  to  pronounce  a 
funeral  oration  upon  a  deceased  monarch,  laid  his 
hand  upon  the  head  of  the  dead  king,  and  ex- 
claimed: "There  is  nothing  great  but  God."  Sir, 
there  is  nothing  great  but  God. 

General  Taylor's  whole  career  illustrated  the 
high  qualities  which  so  eminently  distinguished  him. 
I  do  not  dwell  upon  his  battle-fields — they  belong  to 
history,  and  they  will  find  a  place  upon  the  bright- 
est pages  which  record  such  exploits.  Nor  shall  I 
speak  of  his  courage — ^it  is  unnecessary;  that  is 
attested  by  hard-fought  fields,  and  brilliant  victories 
won  under  his  eye  against  overwhelming  numbei^. 
But  I  wish  to  speak  of  that  high  sense  of  duty 
which  characterized  his  whole  life — that  steady  pur- 
pose to  do  what  he  Ijelieved  to  be  right,  at  all  times 
and  in  all  places.  In  the  perfonnance  of  duty, 
nothing  could  move  him — he  marched  directly  upon 
the  road  where  that  called  him.  The  reference 
to  this  trait  in  his  character  has  been  appropriately 
made  by  the  gentleman  from  Illinois,  [Mr.  Baker.] 
and  it  deserves  to  be  observed  and  dwelt  upon.  To 
him,  as  fully  as  to  any  one  I  have  ever  known,  may 
be  applied  the  high  eulogium  of  '^ incoi-rupta fides' — 
he  kept  his  faith  with  all  men.     You  might  dissent 


57 

from  his  opinions — ^you  might  find  fault  with  his 
judgment,  but  when  he  took  his  position,  he  kept 
it — his  sense  of  duty  sustained  him,  and  opposition 
only  served  to  make  him  the  more  steadfast  in 
holding  it. 

It  is  said  of  Napoleon,  that  the  great  quality 
which  distinguished  him,  next  to  his  genius,  was  his 
love  of  glory;  so  that  when  he  marched  his  army 
into  Egypt,  the  appeal  which  he  made  to  them  on 
the  eve  of  battle  was,  "Soldiers,  forty  centuries 
look  down  upon  you  from  these  pyramids." 

General  Taylor  rather  resembled  Lord  Nelson, 
who,  when  about  to  engage  the  enemy's  fleet,  sent 
to  his  several  officers  in  command  of  his  ships  the 
words,  "England  expects  every  man  to  do  his 
duty." 

This  was  the  constant  aim  of  the  illustrious  man 
who  has  just  been  called  away  from  us.  This 
great  quality  which  sheds  such  lustre  upon  his 
name,  gave  him  that  success  which  so  uniformly 
attended  him.  When  about  to  engage  in  battle  at 
Buena  Vista  with  the  overwhelming  army  opposed 
to  him,  he  comprehended  the  danger  which  invested 
him,  but  he  had  made  up  his  mind  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  stand  there,  and  in  his  own  beautiful  lan- 
guage, written  before  the  engagement,  he  "  looked  to 
Providence  for  a  good  result." 

General  Taylor's  character  was  American— dis- 


58 

tinctly  and  decidedly  American.  lie  was  invited 
to  quit  the  army  and  take  the  Chief  Magistracy  of 
the  Rcpubhc.  He  did  so  -with  unaffected  reluctance, 
from  a  sincere  distrust  of  his  fitness  for  such  a  sta- 
tion. But  as  in  the  army  he  had  obeyed  every  order 
of  his  Government,  he  now  obeyed  the  call  of  his 
countrymen,  and  laying  aside  his  plumed  hat,  his 
epaulets,  and  his  sword,  he  entered  upon  the  func- 
tions of  his  new  and  great  position  with  an  honest 
purpose  to  do  his  duty. 

Unlike  Caesar,  who  repelled  the  proffered  cro-\\Ti 
while  he  coveted  it,  he  came  with  diffidence  to  the 
high  position  to  which  he  had  been  called,  and  unos- 
tentatiously employed  himself  with  its  appropriate 
duties;  his  whole  course  evincing  his  profound  sense 
of  the  value  of  constitutional  liberty,  and  his  manners 
illustrating  the  beautiful  simphcity  of  his  character. 

Sir,  this  illustrious  man  is  called  away  from  us  at 
a  moment  most  critical.  Never  have  I  known  the 
Republic  in  such  peril  as  now  surrounds  it.  My 
friend  from  Massachusetts  [Mr.  Winthrop]  has  well 
said  that  it  is  so  clearly  an  interposition  of  Pro^d- 
dence,  that  he  is  ready  to  exclaim,  "  The  chariots 
of  Israel  and  the  horsemen  thereof." 

Sir,  I  agree  to  this.  It  is  an  interposition  of 
Pro\adence;  and  it  comes  to  us  in  a  trying  hour. 
But  I  am  not  dismayed.  My  trust  in  Providence  is 
unshaken.     Our  country  has  been  delivered,  guided, 


59 

made  glorious,  by  a  good  Providence.  It  will  be  so 
still.  I  remember,  when  the  prophet  referred  to  by 
the  gentleman  from  Massachusetts  [Mr.  Winthrop] 
was  surrounded  by  a  hostile  force,  and  all  hope  of 
escape  seemed  cut  off,  that  a  young  man  who  was 
with  him  cried  out  in  great  fear ;  and  the  reply  of 
the  prophet  was,  a  prayer  that  the  young  man's 
eyes  might  be  opened.  He  then  saw  that  all  within 
the  hostile  lines  were  "chariots  and  horsemen  of 
fire,"  ready  to  succour  and  to  deliver  the  be- 
leaguered city.  So  will  it  be  with  us.  The  dan- 
gers which  threaten  us  will  be  averted,  and,  I  trust, 
for  ever  disposed  of. 

The  solemn  event  which  has  just  occurred  will 
arrest  the  angry  current  which  has  swept  us  on  so 
fiercely.  It  imposes  a  truce,  at  least  for  a  season, 
upon  contending  parties.  In  the  mean  while,  a 
better  feeling  may  spring  up;  and  we  may  ask, 
"  Why  do  we  struggle  with  each  other  ?  Are  we 
not  brethren  ?"  The  nation  will  be  impressed  with 
the  bereavement  which  it  has  suffered,  and  the  tide 
of  sorrow  which  sweeps  throughout  the  country  will 
admonish  us  to  agree  in  wise,  patriotic,  and  frater- 
nal counsels.  The  very  event  which  we  dejolore, 
and  which  we  regard  as  a  calamity,  will  be  over- 
ruled for  good;  and  He  that  sitteth  on  high, 
mightier  than  the  water-floods,  will  put  forth  his 
power  and  cause  a  great  calm. 


■® 


60 

Sir,  death  is  at  all  times  a  solemn  event;  it 
touches  both  time  and  eternity;  it  terminates  an 
earthly  existence,  it  ojDens  an  immortal  one.  But 
this  death  will  strike  the  world  as  an  event  marked 
by  more  than  common  solemnity.  We  mingle  our 
tears  over  the  bier  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great 
nation.  We  will  honour  his  memory,  and  we  will 
claim  his  fame  for  his  whole  country.  Henceforth 
he  belongs  to  liis  country,  and  his  name  is  a  part 
of  our  common  inheritance.  His  last  public  act 
was  in  honour  of  the  memory  of  Wasliington :  he 
■fixed  his  eyes  upon  that  noble  monument  which  is 
rising  to  the  skies,  built  up  by  the  present  genera- 
tion for  one  whom  all  called  blessed.  By  this  time 
he  has,  it  may  be  hoped,  met  the  revered  Father  of 
his  Country,  in  a  world  where  their  companionship 
will  be  eternal.  His  memory  is  safe — no  human 
events  can  now  affect  it;  the  great  qualities,  the 
private  virtues,  the  public  services — all  that  is  pre- 
cious in  his  memory,  has  received  the  seal  of  death. 

"  The  love  where  death  has  set  his  seal, 
Nor  age  can  chill,  nor  rival  steal, 
Nor  falsehood  disavow." 

Hon.  JouN  A.  King  addressed  the  House  as  follows : 

Mr.  Speaker, — I  desire  to  say  a  few  words  on  the 

sudden  and  ovenvhelming  event  which  has  caused 

us  to  assemble  here  this  day — in  grief  and  in  sorrow, 

in  honour  and  respect.     We  are  called  upon  to  bow 


g  f 

61 

with  submission  to  the  inscrutable  will  of  Him  in 
whose   hands  are  the   issues  of  life  and  death,  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  one  who,  during  a  long  career  of 
distinguished  and  patriotic  service,  endeared  himself 
to  the  hearts  of  the  American  people ;  to  look  firmly, 
but  without  despair,  at  the  sudden  death  of  the  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  milhons  of  freemen  over   whose 
destinies  he   but  yesterday  presided  in   health  and 
honour;  to  acknowledge  the  eminent  services  which 
in  war  he  has  rendered  to  his  country;  to  bear  tes- 
timony to  the  moderation  and  the  firmness  of  his 
conduct  as  the  chosen  head  of  the  nation ;  to  declare 
the  hope  which  sprung  in  every  bosom  while  the 
short  struggle  for  life  endured,  that  that  life,  if  not 
for  his,  for  their  sakes  might  be  spared ;  to  manifest, 
so  far  as  words  can  express  them,  the  feelings  of 
desolation  which  reign  in  every  bosom  on  account 
of  the  sad  bereavement.    The  character  of  him  whom 
we  mourn  was  made  up  of  elements  which  never 
fail  to  win  the  attachment   and  confidence  of  the 
American  people.     Frank,  direct,  humane  yet  firm 
of  purpose,  he  brought  to  the  consideration  of  ques- 
tions of  difficulty,  a  clear  and  unbiassed  judgment — 
a  decision  which  once  fairly  made  never  swerved. 
The  consequences  were,  success  and  honour  for  him- 
self and  his  country.     Few  ever  could  boast  a  greater 
or  a  better  influence  over  the  hearts  of  the  people ; 
and  that  generous  attachment  which  cheered  him 


<» 


m 

62 

■\vliile  living  will  mourn  liim  dead.  "We  lament  him 
as  our  glory  and  our  defence — as  the  head  and  hope 
of  this  great  confederacy. 

But  yet  we  are  not  left  without  hope,  without 
alleviation.  One  yet  remains  to  us  who  is  to  fill  the 
honoured  chair  of  State — one  whose  puhlic  and  pri- 
vate character  needs  no  eulogy — one  in  whom  the 
mild  and  best  qualities  of  a  statesman  are  hiirly 
mingled.  Let  us  give  him  our  confidence  ;  let  us 
cheer  him  in  the  performance  of  these,  his  unex- 
pected and  most  undesired  duties.  Let  us  cast  on 
him  the  mantle  of  our  hopes  and  confidence,  for  he 
deserves  and  will  honourably  wear  it. 

Mr.  Speaker,  there  are  those  of  the  household  of 
the  distinguished  and  lamented  dead  whose  bereave- 
ment is  deepest,  and  whose  broken  hearts  no  human 
consolation  can  reach.  Let  our  anxious  thoughts  be 
directed,  and  our  warmest  sympathies  be  poured  out 
in  their  behalf;  for  they  have  borne  themselves 
gently,*  in  the  position  they  have  been  called  upon  to 
fill.  I  cannot  close,  sir,  these  brief  remarks,  with- 
out expressing  my  abiding  trust  that  this  dispensation 
of  an  overruling  Providence,  whose  will  we  may  not 
question,  may  still  be  ordered  for  the  honour,  the 
safety,  and  the  glory  of  the  republic. 


«■ 


63 

Mr.  Maeshall,  of  Kentucky,  said : 

Mr.  Speaker, — Silence  is  the  true  eloquence  of 
wo,  and  the  most  appropriate  sign  of  submission  to 
Him,  whose  inscrutable  decree  afflicts  this  people. 

Were  the  emotions  of  my  own  bosom  at  this  mo- 
ment the  accepted  counsellors  of  my  action,  content 
to  mingle  mine  with  the  nation's  tears,  I  should  per- 
mit this  solemn  occasion  to  pass  without  the  obtru- 
sion of  a  single  remark.  But,  custom  and  the  known 
relations  I  held  to  the  late  President  of  the  United 
States,  induce  me  to  express  here,  my  own  personal 
grief  at  his  untimely  death,  and  the  profound  sensi- 
bility with  which  intelligence  of  the  lamentable 
event  will  be  received  by  the  Commonwealth  of 
Kentucky.  In  no  quarter  of  our  country  will  this 
blow  fall  with  more  crushing  force,  than  upon  the 
district  I  represent.  There  are  the  graves  of  his 
parents — the  habitations  of  his  kindred — the  surviv- 
ing associates  of  his  youth — the  especial  friends  of 
his  matured  manhood — the  companions  of  his  mili- 
tary adventures — and  the  most  numerous  branches 
of  his  family  connection.  There  his  name  was,  in- 
deed, a  tower  of  strength,  as  his  fame  was  the  pride 
of  the  people. 

I  have  not  arisen  to  dwell  upon  his  great  exploits 
or  to  recount  his  many  virtues.  These  can  derive 
no  additional  lustre  from  the  voice  of  exaggerated 
eulogy :  they  are  already  familiar  to  every  votary  of 

\ ^ 

m  ® 


64 

courage,  truth,  and  worth.  Comparison  between 
Zachary  Taylor  and  celebrated  ancients,  illustrious 
in  life  or  death,  will  neither  diminish  nor  increase 
his  claim  to  the  admiration  of  mankind.  His  cha- 
racter was  formed  on  no  pre-existing  model.  Reared 
amidst  'the  solitudes  of  the  western  wilderness,  his 
principles  were  fashioned  by  the  precepts  of  the 
Kentucky  pioneer;  and  his  glorious  career  has 
amply  vindicated  their  Christianity,  wisdom,  and 
patriotism.  The  statue  of  his  fame  shall  rise  be- 
fore the  student  of  American  greatness,  not  merely 
sublime  from  the  beauty  of  its  just  proportions,  but 
conspicuous  from  its  originality.  The  column  is 
now  complete.  Omniscience  has  withdrawn  the 
workman — Time  and  Earth  have  but  "the  sign 
and  token"  of  the  great  original.  The  pencil  of 
history  will  fill  the  bold  outline  of  our  illustrious 
American,  for  the  contemplation  and  admiration  of 
posterity. 

Great,  without  pride ;  cautious,  'w'ithout  fear ; 
brave,  without  rashness ;  stem,  Avithout  harshness  ; 
modest,  without  bashfulness ;  apt,  without  flippancy ; 
intelligent,  without  the  pedantry  of  learning;  saga- 
cious, without  cunning;  benevolent,  -wdthout  osten- 
tation ;  sincere  and  honest  as  the  sun,  the  "  noble 
old  Roman"  lias  at  last  lain  down  his  earthly  har- 
ness— his  task  is  done.  He  has  fallen,  as  falls  the 
summer-tree  in  the  bloom  of  its  honours,  ere  the 


65 

l^light  of  autumn  has  seared  a  leaf  that  adorns  it. 
The  image  of  his  exalted  character  is  indelibly  im- 
pressed upon  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen,  and  the 
lines  thereof 

"  By  just  degrees  will  every  moment  rise, 
Fill  the  wide  earth  and  gain  upon  the  skies." 

At  the  honoured  urn  which  holds  the  remains  of  our 
beloved  and  departed  chief,  Kentucky  asks  a  place 
among  her  sisters,  to  baptize  it  with  the  tears  of 
sincere  sorrow,  and  to  attest  her  sense  of  our  com- 
mon loss. 

Participating  entirely  in  the  feeling  which  follows 
into  retirement  the  bereaved  family  of  the  illustrious 
deceased,  I  desire  now  to  offer  to  them,  in  behalf  of 
the  representatives  and  people  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Kentucky,  (and,  I  am  sure,  I  may  well  add,  of  all 
the  States  of  the  Union,)  the  expression  of  our  sin- 
cerest  symj^athy  under  their  deep  affliction.  May 
the  Hand  which  "tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn 
lamb,"  bring  to  their  relief  the  consolations  of  reli- 
gion, and  the  satisfaction  to  be  imparted  by  an  assu- 
rance that  of  General  Taylor,  as  a  friend,  citizen, 
soldier,  patriot — 

"  None  knew  him  but  to  love  him 
None  named  him  but  to  praise." 

The  beauties  of  his  domestic  life  remain  to  his  family 
as  sacred  recollections.  It  is  not  for  us,  there  to  in- 
trude, or,  by  any  attempt  to  pass  them  in  review,  to 

9 

gi  i 


f 

66 

disturb  the  melancholy  but  sweet  satisfaction  the 
memory  of  them  must  necessarily  inspire.  To  us, 
as  public  men,  the  bright  example  of  the  departed 
is  set  "  as  a  lamp  to  our  path."  May  it  be  present 
through  all  the  watches  of  the  night :  may  ice,  too, 
be  able  to  repeat  to  a  grateful  country,  as  the  last  of 
earth  shall  come  to  each  of  us,  the  simple  and  touch- 
ing, but  sublime  declaration  of  the  President's  death- 
scene — "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die  :  I  am  ready  :  I  have 
done  my  duty." 

A  message  was  received  from  the  Senate  by  Mr.  Machcn, 
their  chief  clerk : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — The  Senate  have  passed  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  in  which  I  am  directed  to  ask  the 
concurrence  of  this  House,  viz. : 

Whereas,  it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  re- 
move from  this  life  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President 
of  the  United  States,  the  Senate,  sharing  in  the 
general  sorrow  which  this  melancholy  event  must 
produce,  is  desirous  of  manifesting  its  sensibility  on 
the  occasion ;  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  Web- 
ster, Mr.  Cass,  and  Mr.  King,  be  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  Senate,  to  meet  such  committee  as  may 
be  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives, to  consider  and  report  what  measures  it  may 
be  proper  to  adopt,  to  show  the  respect  and  affection 


67 

of  Congress  for  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  de- 
ceased, and  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
his  funeral. 

The  resolutions   submitted   by  Mr.  Conrad  were   then 
unanimously  agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  White  of  New  York,  the  blank  in  the 
resolutions  was  filled  by  inserting  the  word  "nine." 

When  the  following  named  members  were  appointed  the 
said  committee,  on  the  part  of  the  House,  viz. : 

Mr.  Conrad  of  Louisiana. 

Mr.  McDowell  of  Virginia. 

Mr.  WiNTHROP  of  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  BissELL  of  Illinois. 

Mr.  DuER  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Orr  of  South  Carolina. 

Mr.  Beck  of  Kentucky. 

Mr.  Strong  of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Vinton  of  Ohio. 

Mr.  Cabell  of  Florida. 

Mr.  Kerr  of  Maryland. 

Mr.  Stanly  of  North  Carolina. 

Mr.  Littlefield  of  Maine. 

Ordered,  That  the  clerk  acquaint  the  Senate  therewith. 

And  then,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Jacob  Thompson,  the  House 
adjourned  until  to-morrow  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M. 


-» 


68 


IN   SENATE. 


Thursday,  July  11,  1850. 


Mr.  Webster,  from  the  committee  appointed  on  the  part 
of  the  Senate,  jointly  with  the  committee  appointed  on  the 
part  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  to  consider  and  report 
what  measures  it  may  be  proper  to  adopt  in  order  to  show 
the  respect  and  affection  of  Congress  for  the  memory  of 
Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United  States,  re- 
ported in  part  the  following  : 

That  the  funeral  take  place  from  the  President's  house 
on  Saturday  next.  The  ceremonies  to  commence  at  twelve 
o'clock,  M.,  and  the  procession  to  move  at  one  o'clock  pre- 
cisely. 

That  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  assemble  in  their  re- 
spective chambers  on  Saturday  next  at  eleven  o'clock,  and 
thence  move  in  joint  procession  to  the  President's  house. 

That  the  chambers  of  the  two  Houses  be  hung  in  black, 
and  that  the  members  wear  the  usual  badges  of  mourning. 

The  Senate  proceeded  by  unanimous  consent  to  consider 
the  report,  and  the  same  was  concurred  in. 

Mr.  Underwood  then  rose  and  said : 
Mr.    President, — The  report  just  made   heaving 
brought  up  again  to  the  attention  of  the  Senate  the 


■i 


69 

death  of  the  late  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  having  been  absent  yesterday  when  the  gentle- 
man from  Louisiana  [Mr.  Downs]  made  his  elo- 
quent and  appropriate  address,  and  offered  his  reso- 
lutions— my  absence  resulting  from  the  fact  that  I 
was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  on  the  part  of 
the  Senate  to  wait  upon  Mr.  Fillmore,  and  make 
arrangements  preparatory  to  his  taking  the  oath  of 
office — I  throw  myself  upon  the  indulgence  of  the 
Senate,  and  beg  permission  to  make  a  few  remarks. 

I  was  among  the  earliest  to  advocate  the  election 
of  General  Taylor,  and,  in  common  with  a  very 
large  majority  of  the  people  of  my  State,  gave  him  a 
most  cordial  support.  He  had  been  raised  among 
us.  His  character  was  formed  and  developed  by  as- 
sociations with  the  pioneers  of  a  western  wilderness ; 
with  tliOiSe  who  encountered  the  difficulties  and  pri- 
vations of  settling  and  improving  the  most  fertile 
region  of  the  globe ;  and  who,  almost  unaided  by 
government,  relying  exclusively  upon  their  own 
individual  resources  and  energies,  successfully  re- 
sisted the  persevering  efforts  of  numerous  hordes  of 
warlike  savages  to  expel  them  from  the  country. 
His  father,  Kichard  Taylor,  a  soldier  of  the  Kevolu- 
tion,  was  eminently  qualified  to  infuse  into  the  mind 
of  his  son  those  sentiments  of  ardent  patriotism  and 
lofty  heroism  which  pervaded  all  classes  with  whom 
Zachary  Taylor  associated  when  a  boy.     Well  do 


■® 


■4 


70 

I  remember  that  ftxther;  for  I  was  associated  with 
liim  in  the  legislature  of  Kentucky,  at  a  time  when 
questions  of  constitutional  law  deeply  agitated  the 
entire  State,  and  when  rancorous  and  bitter  jwliti- 
cians  threatened  the  public  peace,  and  dared  to  talk 
of  bloodshed.  I  remember  the  conciliating,  calm, 
and  yet  firm  demeanour  of  that  father  amidst  the 
storms  of  debate  and  the  fierce  collisions  of  conflict- 
ing opinions.  In  these  respects  he  was  the  admira- 
ble prototype  of  the  hero  of  Buena  Vista. 

With  such  a  father,  and  under  the  influences  of 
the  society  and  circumstances  by  which  General 
Taylor  was  surrounded  in  his  boyhood,  it  would 
have  been  indeed  strange  had  he  grown  up  without 
a  strong  predilection  for  military  life.  Fortunately 
for  his  own  fame,  fortunately  for  the  glory  of  his 
country,  in  youth  he  put  on  the  armour  of  a  soldier. 
What  followed  is  well-kno^vn  history,  and  needs  no 
repetition  here. 

A  grateful  country,  penetrated  by  a  deep  convic- 
tion of  the  intuitive  sagacity  and  elevated  patriotism 
of  General  Taylor,  united  with  military  achieve- 
ments of  unsurpassed  splendour,  and  a  personal 
character  for  truth  and  honesty  without  a  suix?rior, 
made  him  Chief  Magistrate.  The  providence  of  God 
has  terminated  his  earthly  career,  during  this  the 
first  session  of  Congress  since  his  inauguration.  His 
father  was  permitted  to  live  and  take  an  eflicient 


•« 


m  « 

71 

part  in  accomplishing  those  measures  which  relieved 
Kentucky  from  the  threatened  horrors  of  civil  war. 
The  son  has  been  taken  hence  to  the  world  of 
spirits,  before  those  agitating  questions  which  now 
excite  Congress  and  the  people,  and  threaten  the 
destruction  of  the  government,  have  been  settled. 
Mysterious  providence  !  There  were  thousands  and 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  our  countrymen  who 
looked  for  help  in  this  time  of  need  to  the  unbend- 
ing integrity  and  firmness  of  purpose  which  ever 
characterized  our  late  President.  God  has  taken 
from  them  this  staff  of  their  reliance.  It  will  be 
manifested  in  time  whether  the  measure  of  General 
Taylor's  honours  and  usefulness  being  full  and 
overflowing,  he  was  removed  by  the  Ruler  of  the 
Universe  to  give  place  to  those  equally  or  better 
able  to  calm  political  dissensions,  and  to  extricate 
the  country  from  impending  dangers,  or  whether 
the  awful  judgments  of  God  are  to  rest  upon  us  for 
national  sins,  and  for  the  want  of  that  wisdom  and 
spirit  of  conciliation  which  have  heretofore  enabled 
such  men  as  Zachary  Taylor  to  secure  national 
prosperity  and  happiness.  Whatever  purposes  of 
the  Deity  the  future  may  unfold,  the  present  is  a 
day  of  mourning ;  and  certain  I  am  that  no  portion 
of  our  extensive  country  will  feel  more  sensibly  the 
general  bereavement  than  the  State  in  which  our 
dead  and  yet  unburied  Chief  Magistrate  spent  the 


e- 


72 

morning  of  liis  life.  Kentucky  will  long  remember 
and  mourn  for  liim  as  one  of  her  own  sons,  and  as 
the  commander  who  led  her  McKee,  her  Clay,  her 
Hardin,  her  Barbour,  her  Willis,  and  a  host  of  her 
less  distinguished  children,  to  the  glorious  sacrifice 
of  life,  to  secure  the  triumph  of  their  country. 

And  while  w^e  sympathize  and  condole  with  the 
fiimily  of  the  great  and  good  man  gone  from  earth 
for  ever,  let  us  indulge  the  hope  that  his  bright  ex- 
ample will  be  of  immense  value  to  succeeding  gene- 
rations, and  that  his  spirit  with  kindred  spirits  now 
constitute  a  blessed  society  in  heaven. 

On  motion  by  Mr.  Atchison, 

Oi'dered,  That  when  the  Senate  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to 
Monday  next. 

On  motion  the  Senate  then  adjoui'ned. 


tv 


73 


HOUSE   OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 
Thuksday,  July  11,  1850. 

Mr.  Conrad,  from  the  Joint  Committee  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration  "What  measures  it  may  be  proper 
to  adopt,  to  show  the  respect  and  affection  of  Congress  for 
the  memory  of  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
his  funeral,"  made  the  following  Report : — 

[See  the  report  in  the  Senate  proceedings.] 

The  said  report  having  been  read,  it  was  unanimously 
concurred  in. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Strong,  it  was 

Ordered,  That  when  the  House  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to 
meet  again  on  Saturday  next,  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 

And  then. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer,  the  House  adjourned  until 
Saturday  next,  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M. 


Saturday,  July  13, 1850. 


The  House  met  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  pursuant  to  ad- 
journment. 

The  Speaker,  members,  and  officers,  in  pursuance  of  the 
order  of  Thursday  last,  then  proceeded  in  procession  to  the 
President's  House,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  in  the  funeral 
ceremonies  of  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the 
United  States. 


10 


m 
74 


IN  SENATE. 

Saturday,  July  13,  1850. 


'> 


The  Senate  having,  in  conformity  with  their  previous 
order,  attended  the  funeral  of  the  late  President  of  the 
United  States,  returned  to  their  chamber ;  and 

On  motion  by  Mr.  Greene, 

Adjourned. 


i) — . m 


75 


THE  FUNERAL. 


The   following   account  of   the   funeral   solemnities  ap- 
peared in  the  National  Intelligencer. 

"  Can  this  Ibe  death  ? — then  what  is  life  or  death  ? 

'  Speak  !' — but  he  spoke  not :   '  Wake !' — but  still  he  slept. 
But  yesterday,  and  who  had  mightier  breath  ? 

A  thousand  warriors  by  his  word  were  kept 
In  awe  ;  he  said,  as  the  Centurion  saith, 

' Go,'  and  he  goeth ;   'come,'  and  forth  he  stepp'd. 
The  trump  and  bugle  till  he  spake  were  dumb ; 

And  now  nought  left  him  but  the  muffled  drum  !" 

When  it  became  our  melancholy  duty,  nine  years  ago,  to 
record  some  account  of  the  obsequies  of  the  lamented 
Harrison,  we  little  thought  that,  during  our  brief  remain- 
ing term  of  life,  it  would  ever,  certainly  not  so  soon,  be  our 
lot  to  repeat  the  tale  of  another  Presidential  Funeral.  But 
that  mysterious  roll  of  human  fate,  written  in  Heaven,  but 
slowly  unfolded,  line  after  line,  by  the  unerring  hand  of 
Time,  has  many  things  in  reserve  for  us  all,  of  which  we 
little  dream ;  and  nations,  like  individuals,  are  sometimes 
shocked  by  the  advent  of  calamities  as  sudden  and  unlooked- 
for  as  they  are  great.  Such  an  event  has  befallen  this 
youthful  Republic ;  and  no  stranger  who  beheld  this  city 
during  the  last  few  days  could  doubt  that  some  great  and 
appalling  stroke  had  fallen  upon  the  community.  The 
silent  streets — the  public  offices,  and  even  the  private  dwell- 


•m 


7G 

iugs,  slirouded  in  mourning — tlic  national  colours,  ■wherever 
visible,  displayed  at  half-mast,  all  told  the  story  to  the  eye ; 
while  the  looks  of  the  people,  the  pause  in  public  business, 
the  rapid  arrival  of  strangers^  the  groups  collected  in 
earnest  conversation,  or  intent  on  public  prints  bearing 
their  well-known  badges  of  mourning,  still  more  unfailingly 
impressed  the  fact  upon  the  heart. 

During  the  after  part  of  Friday,  the  stream  of  people 
misrht  be  observed  directing  itself  toward  the  Presidential 
Mansion,  while  those  who  left  it  carried  in  their  counte- 
nances an  unusual  gloom,  and  in  their  hands  a  leaf,  a 
flower,  a  Avithered  branch,  to  be  treasured  up  as  a  memorial 
consecrated  by  its  having  once  rested  on  the  bier  of 
Zachary  Taylor.  The  body  of  the  deceased  President 
was  on  that  day  placed  in  the  great  East  Koom  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Mansion,  on  an  elevated  platform,  in  its  centre, 
under  a  canopy  of  black,  being  deposited  in  a  coffin  covered 
on  the  outside  with  black  velvet  and  draperies  of  silver, 
and  lined  within  with  velvet  also,  but  of  the  purest  white. 
The  shroud  was  of  satin,  and  a  wdiite  cravat  was  grace- 
fully thrown  around  the  neck.  The  countenance  there 
exposed  was  one  not  to  be  passed  over  with  a  slight  or 
transient  gaze.  It  fixed  every  eye.  It  had  three  things 
impressively  written  upon  it :  uprightness,  benevolence,  and 
peace.  The  face  looked  just  as  in  life :  frank,  manly, 
simple,  kind,  with  almost  a  smile  about  the  mouth.  On  the 
coffin  lay  a  profuse  quantity  of  flowers  and  buds,  which 
were  continually  being  removed  by  the  crowds  who  gathered 
from  all  quarters  to  contemplate  the  spectacle,  and  were  as 
often  renewed. 

The  Funeral  was  appointed  for  Saturday.    The  weather 


m- 


77 

was  cool,  and  the  morning  opened  with  a  clear  sky  and  a 
welcome  breeze,  both  continuing  throughout  the  day. 
Funeral  salutes  were  fired  at  sunrise;  all  stores  were 
closed ;  and  very  soon  the  sound  of  the  drum  was  heard — the 
military  were  in  motion,  and  the  streets  began  to  be 
thronged  with  horsemen  and  vehicles  of  all  descriptions. 
The  lines  of  railroad  brought  such  trains  of  cars  as  are  seldom 
witnessed  for  number,  and  all  densely  crowded.  The  city 
resembled  some  hive,  alarmed  and  astir  for  a  general  move ; 
and  yet,  with  all  the  bustle  and  movement,  there  was  mingled 
a  prevailing  quietness,  a  chastened  abstaining  from  all 
tumultuous  noises,  which  reminded  one  of  the  Sabbath. 

The  troops  hastened  to  their  appointed  rendezvous,  the 
various  civic  associations  to  their  respective  halls  of  meet- 
ing; while  the  whole  population,  with  a  countless  addition 
of  strangers  from  all  the  adjacent  States  of  the  Union, 
grouped  themselves  at  the  intersections  of  streets  with  the 
main  avenue,  or  at  the  open  windows  of  houses  where  the 
procession  was  to  pass.  From  these  latter  the  sashes  were 
in  many  cases  removed,  and,  story  above  story,  clustering 
heads,  with  eager  look,  were  peering  out  upon  the  scene. 
In  some  places  the  very  roofs  were  almost  literally  tiled 
with  human  heads.  It  is  estimated  that  no  less  than  a 
hundred  thousand  human  beings  were  concentrated  in  this 
city  on  that  memorable  day.  The  avenue  itself  (we  mean 
of  course  Pennsylvania  avenue)  was,  by  the  activity  of 
Marshals,  posted  from  point  to  point  along  its  whole  length, 
kept  entirely  clear  of  all  vehicles  and  horsemen  but  such  as 
formed  a  part  of  the  funeral  cavalcade. 


•^ 


■f 


78 


THE  FUNERAL  SERVICE. 

Never  has  it  been  our  lot  to  be  present  at  any  scene  of 
such  solemnity  and  dignity  as  that  which  the  East  Room 
of  the  Presidential  Mansion  offered  on  this  occasion.  Here 
lay  in  state  the  venerated  dead ;  and  here  the  last  cere- 
monies of  the  Church  were  appointed  to  be  performed. 
Beneath  the  capacious  sable  canopy  the  mortal  remains  of 
General  Taylor  lay  coflSned,  and  around  those  remains 
were  clustered  a  host  of  the  distinguished  living.  At  the 
foot  of  the  bier  sat  in  sadness  the  Successor  to  the  honours 
and  the  responsibilities  of  the  Executive  chair,  with  the 
constitutional  advisers  of  the  President;  at  its  head  were 
the  Ministers  of  Religion,  in  the  habiliments  of  their  high 
office ;  to  the  right,  occupying  the  southern  portion  of  the 
room,  were  the  distinguished  Chiefs  of  the  Army  and  the 
Navy.  The  General-in-Chief  of  the  Army,  Winfield 
Scott,  with  his  Staff;  Naval  Commanders;  Officers  of  the 
Marine  Corps ;  the  Major-General  of  the  Militia,  with  his 
Aids,  and  Officers  of  the  Engineer  Corps,  presented  a  spec- 
tacle of  imposing  grandeur,  greatly  heightened  by  the  bril- 
liant array  of  Foreign  Ministers  in  their  official  costumes. 
On  the  left,  in  close  proximity  to  the  lamented  dead,  were 
seated  world-renowned  Statesmen.  But  they  thought  not 
of  eminence  to  be  attained  in  this  sphere.  An  inscrutable 
Providence  had  given  their  minds  a  direction  to  the  grave. 
There  sat  in  sorrow,  among  the  designated  pall-bearers, 
Statesmen    long    distinguished    by  public    service  in   both 


ft- 


79 

Houses  of  Congress,  wliose  names  have  become  familiar  as 
household  words  to  the  People.  There,  too,  sat,  on  the 
opposite  side,  the  immediate  relatives  of  the  deceased: 
Colonel  Tatlok,  his  brother.  Dr.  Wood,  Colonel  Bliss,  the 
Hon.  Jefferson  Davis,  and  others  who  are  nearly  allied, 
all  furnishing  painful  evidence  of 

Wo  too  great  to  be  express'd, 


Which  broods  in  silence  and  corrodes  the  heart. 

The  western  part  of  the  room  was  occupied  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Senate,  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives, and  the  Members  and  officers  of  both  these 
bodies.  Heads  of  Bureaus,  and  a  large  body  of  Clergymen 
of  all  denominations. 

All  being  seated,  under  the  well-conceived  instructions  of 
the  Marshal  of  the  District,  by  Aids  who  performed  their 
office  with  prompt  attention  and  noiseless  tread,  an  amateur 
choir  from  several  churches,  under  the  direction  of  Pro- 
fessor Berlyn,  sang  in  solemn  cadence,  the  anthem : 

"  I  heard  a  voice  from  Heaven  saying,  Write,  write  from  henceforth 
blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,  for  they  rest  from  their  labours. 
Amen." 

The  Bitual  of  the  Church,  "Lord  let  me  know  my  end," 
was  impressively  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pyne,  the  re- 
sponses being  given  by  the  Rev.  C.  B.  Butler,  in  which 
other  clergy  and  laymen  joined.  The  latter  gentleman  then 
read  a  portion  of  the  fifteenth  chapter  of  St.  Paul's  First 
Epistle  to  the  Corinthians:  "But  now  is  Christ  risen,"  &c. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Pyne  then  delivered  the  following  dis- 
course. 


•# 


w- 


80 


DISCOURSE. 

In"  other  lands,  where  there  prevails  a  class  of 
political  and  social  relations  essentially  different 
from  our  own,  there  is  a  word  often  used,  which,  im- 
portant and  expressive  as  may  be  its  import  to  the 
people  of  those  lands,  seems  with  us,  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  scarcely  to  find  a  place  or  an  appli- 
cation; I  mean  the  word  august.  It  may  appear 
strange,  speaking  as  an  American  to  Americans,  to 
employ  such  an  expression  as  an  august  person,  or 
an  august  presence ;  and  yet,  whatever  there  be  in 
that  word  that  conveys  the  associations  and  attri- 
butes of  majesty,  of  all  that  can  impress  a  human 
creature  ■with  reverence  and  awe,  I  find  it  in  this 
audience  and  this  presence;  for  I  speak  in  an  assem- 
blage which  is  but  the  type  and  symbol  of  a 
mourning  tuition — appropriate  symbol  of  its  dignity 
and  power.  The  Chief  Magistrate  of  this  republic, 
the  members  of  its  great  legislative  councils,  the 
honourable  heads  of  its  Executive  Departments,  the 
honoured  chiefs  of  the  two  great  arms  of  the  public 
service — this  is  a  presence  which,  to  me,  as  a  citizen 
of  this  republic,  is  indeed  aiujust. 


®»i 


g)  D 

81 

And  not  less  imposing  to  me  is  the  representation 
of  the  dignity  of  other  lands  in  peace  and  harmony 
with  our  own ;  for  that  presence  tells  me  not  only 
that  they  are  here  among  us  as  great  agents  for  the 
interests  of  great  nations,  and  therefore  for  the 
interests  of  the  civilized  world,  but  I  believe  they  are 
here  this  day  in  this  place  of  the  mourning  obsequies 
of  the  honoured  dead,  giving  a  tribute  of  not  mere 
official  reverence,  but  personal  regret ;  yes !  as 
ministers  of  this  world's  rulers,  to  whom  the  jpeciCG 
of  the  world  is  all-important,  well  may  they  regret 
him  who,  as  long  as  he  filled  his  great  place,  was  a 
guarantee  for  one  element  in  that  world-wide  secu- 
rity— the  stern,  impm^tial  neutrality  of  these  United 
States.  I  am  sure  I  do  them  no  more  than  justice 
in  believing  that  a  tenderer  feeling  is  blended  with 
this :  the  warm  grasp  of  the  hand,  the  cordial  ad- 
dress, the  true,  honest  words  of  welcome,  and  the 
homely  but  affectionate  farewell,  are  present,  I 
doubt  not,  at  this  moment  to  the  memory  of  many 
a  heart  that  beats  beneath  those  insignia  of  official 
station.  I  remember  well  the  impression  made  on 
me  by  his  parting  speech  to  the  minister  of  a  great 
empire :  "  God  bless  you,  come  back  to  us  again  " — 
a  strange  farewell,  according  to  the  vocabulary  of 
diplomatic  etiquette — a  noble  and  characteristic  one 
from  General  Taylor  to  the  man  he  was  really  sorry 
to  part  with,  and  whom  he  honestly  wished  to  see 

11 

. — # 


82 

again.  I  feel,  then,  that  I  speak  in  the  presence  of 
not  mere  official  representatives  of  courts  and  coun- 
tries, but  of  men  ^vhose  sympathies  accompany  that 
presence,  making  it  all  the  more  impressive  to  me  as 
it  is  honourable  to  them. 

There  is  another  presence  here,  to  me  the  most 
august  of  all — the  presence  of  that  relic  of  the 
mighty  dead!  When  living,  he  never  heard  from 
my  lips  one  word  of  adulation,  and  now,  if  in  that 
light  and  life  of  truth  to  which  that  true  soul  has 
been  taken,  he  is  conscious  of  aught  that  passes 
here,  he  sees  that  I  am  doing  for  him  when  dead, 
that  which  would  most  have  pleased  him  in  life.  I 
will  speak  the  tnitli,  utter  no  single  word  which  my 
conscience  does  not  avouch,  which  is  not  an  index 
of  the  feelings  of  my  heart. 

And  oh !  may  I,  the  minister  of  God,  not  lose  for 
one  moment  the  conscious  sense  of  that  Presence — 
the  "  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
heart !"  May  these  few  j)oor  words  of  mine  perform 
the  best  office  for  the  dead,  by  doing  good  to  the 
living,  who  in  their  turn  must  die ! 

In  their  appropriate  time  and  place  words  have 
been  spoken,  the  record  of  this  great  man's  life,  the 
tribute  to  his  multiplied  claims  upon  the  country — 
words  worthy  of  those  who  uttered  them,  worthy  of 
him  whom  they  commemorated.  Had  this,  then, 
been  the  fit  occasion,  or  mine  the  proper  voice,  to 


83 

expatiate  on  such  themes,  I  could  only  have  reite- 
rated what  has  been  far  better  and  more  effectively 
said.  Of  his  glorious  history,  then,  as  the  leader  of 
armies — of  his  measures  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a 
great  nation,  I  shall  say  nothing.  I  shall  advert  to 
one  point  alone,  a  subject  of  contemplation  as  useful 
as  it  is  beautiful. 

I  have  been  struck  with  the  coincidence,  not 
merely  in  feeling,  but  in  the  very  expression  of  that 
feeling,  which  has  marked  the  reception  throughout 
the  country  of  the  late  heavy  tidings.  Simultane- 
ously, from  our  halls  of  Congress,  in  every  form 
of  official  announcement,  in  every  private  letter  I 
have  received  or  seen,  there  was  one  phrase,  as 
though  it  were  the  only  possible,  the  instinctive  ex- 
pression of  one  universal  feeling :  "  The  great  man  !" 
It  is  evidently  no  mere  form  of  speech,  nor  is  it 
employed  in  that  conventional  accejDtation  by  which 
any  man  who  had  died  in  that  great  office  might  be 
called  great.  No,  it  is  plain  that  in  that  individual 
man  there  were  elements  of  character  which  have 
imjDressed  upon  the  common  sense  and  j  udgment  of 
this  country  the  indelible  conviction  that  he  was  a 
great  man.  It  is  worth  while  for  us  to  pause  a 
moment  to  consider  what  those  qualities  were  which 
elicited  an  acknowledgment  so  unusually,  so  univer- 
sally accordant.  It  was  not  his  military  prowess  or 
success,     "  Vixere  fortes  ante  Agamemnona."     The 

6  I  .11  I  I  I  JB) 


84 

civic  and  the  mural  crowns  adorn  too  many  brows 
to  have  made  this  man,  as  by  emphasis,  great.  That 
wonderful  campaign  was  indeed  the  lever  which 
raised  him  up  to  show  the  world,  not  what  it  had 
made  him,  but  what  he  was  in  himself,  the  mem — the 
man  to  do  the  right  thing  at  the  right  time;  the 
man  who  would  not  leave  his  wounded  behind  him, 
and  would  have  encountered  any  personal  hazard  or 
sacrifice  to  abide  by  that  which  his  heart  told  him 
was  right;  the  man  quiet  in  expression,  strong  in 
action,  firm  in  purpose,  and  whether  in  expression, 
action,  or  purpose,  that  transparent  honesty  and 
simjole  integrity  forming,  as  it  were,  the  atmosphere 
in  which  he  lived  and  moved — which,  so  happily  for 
himself  and  for  us,  not  only  enabled  him  to  see 
clearly  and  do  resolutely  what  became  a  true  and 
brave  man,  but  enabled  the  world  to  see  how 
bravely  and  how  honestly  it  was  done.  A  rare 
gift !  Let  us  honour  it ;  and,  above  all,  let  us  try 
to  learn  a  lesson  from  it. 

The  secret  of  this  illustrious  man's  strength  and 
greatness  lay  in  his  being  honest,  true,  rightrminded. 
He  might  have  possessed  the  same  clearness  of  judg- 
ment in  discerning  any  practicable  or  desirable  end, 
the  same  determination  of  purpose  in  adhering  to 
his  maturely  adoj)tcd  plan  for  working  it  out.  Would 
these  things  alone  have  made  him  what  this  nation 
has  so  universally  called   him?     A  man   may  see 


f^ 


85 

very  clearly  a  had  end,  work  with  astonishing  vigour 
and  perseverance  to  accomj)lish  it.  Can  such  a  man 
be  really  great — can  he  be  really  strong  ?  It  is  true 
that,  without  these  more  active  qualities,  mere  recti- 
tude of  intention  and  goodness  of  heart  might  consti- 
tute a  good,  but  not  a  great  man.  And  yet  even  in 
those  elements  of  goodness  lie  the  essential  elements 
of  greatness.  The  working  powers  of  energy  and 
will,  of  what  avail  are  they  if  they  have  not  the 
true  material  to  work  withal? — reliability!  If  a 
man  have  not  that,  who  will  trust  him  ?  Though  he 
had  the  energy  and  intelligence  of  the  arch-fiend 
himself,  who  will  let  him  work  with  them  or  for 
them  ?  And  where  is  that  reliability  to  be  sought  ? 
In  the  fickle  changes  of  a  man's  self-interest,  in  the 
declared  submission  to  popular  will,  so  that  a  man  is 
perpetually  looking  without  and  never  within  for  his 
rule  of  right  ?  No !  To  give  real  body  and  strength 
to  human  character,  there  must  be  the  strong  mind, 
indeed,  but  it  must  be  the  strong  mind  acting  respon- 
sively  to  the  teachings  of  the  right  mind.  "  If  the 
eye  be  single,  then  shall  the  whole  body  be  full  of 
light."  Goodness  and  i^oicer — that  is  greatness.  The 
people  of  this  land  saw  it  tliere.,  and  therefore  have 
they  called  him  great.  It  is  an  honour  to  them  to 
have  seen  him  as  they  did,  and  to  have  j^la^ced  him 
where  they  did. 

There  is,  then,  a  great  lesson  to  be  learned  here 


-» 


8G 

this  day.  I  will  not  suffer  myself  to  suppose  that 
there  is  a  pul)lic  man  who  hears  me,  who  does  not 
covet  that  which  is  high  in  honour,  bright  in  fame, 
and  which  will  last  in  the  memory  of  man.  We 
have  had  a  great  living  example  what  there  must  be 
in  a  man  to  win  from  the  world  these  noble  appli- 
ances of  honour  and  fame.  Being  dead,  he  3'et 
speaketh  a  lesson  which  will  be  read  and  treasured 
by  the  generation  who  shall  follow  us. 

Permit  me,  now,  to  pass  to  the  yet  higher  teach- 
ing of  this  great  event. 

There  is  a  series  of  commonplaces  respecting 
death,  judgment,  eternit}^  which,  awful  and  true  as 
they  are  admitted  to  be,  still,  whether  it  be  from  the 
familiarity  of  our  minds  with  them,  in  consequence 
of  frequent  rej^etition,  or  that  the  overwhelming 
interests  of  the  solid,  tangible  present,  veil  the 
equally  certain,  but,  as  we  think,  far-removed  reali- 
ties of  the  future;  from  some  cause  or  other,  I  re- 
peat, these  admitted,  aAvful  truths  fail  to  exercise 
any  influence  on  human  conduct  or  character  at  all 
commensurate  with  their  imi^ortance.  The  great 
reason  of  this  is  probably  the  practical  ignorance  or 
the  forgetfulness  of  the  great  fact  that,  in  the  reve- 
lation of  Christianity,  judgment  is  not  a  thing  which 
is  to  come,  but  is  7iow;  that  we  are  actually  in  the 
kingdom  of  the  Great  Judge,  the  God-man,  who  is 
near  to  us,  and  we  to  him, — near,  with  his  supplies 


87 

of  grace  to  help  in   time  of  need — near,  knowing 
from  His  hmnan  experience  what  man  can  do  as 
well  as  what  he  ought  to  do,  knowing  from   His 
divine  omniscience  every  thought  and  intent  of  the 
heart.     It  is  not,  then,  a  remote  judge  and  a  remote 
judgment  with  which  we  have  to  do,  but  one  at  the 
door.      The  judgment  of  the  great  day  is,  in  fact, 
only  the  sentence  educed  by  the  sum  of  those  judg- 
ments which  have  gone  up  day  by  day  from  the 
thoughts,  and   words,  and  w^orks.     Alas!    even   in 
Christian  people  who  are  not  insensible  to  this  great 
fact  of  their  religion,  who  feel  its  restraining  and 
guiding  influence  in  many  of  the  circumstances  of 
life,  there  is  great  hazard  of  their  losing  the  practical 
conviction  that  there  is  only  one  Judge  in  the  world 
with  whom  they  have  any  thing  really  to  do — that 
they  should  suffer  questions  of  expediency  or  policy, 
or  the  opinions  of  men,  to  take  the  place  of  this  sim- 
ple accountability  of  the  Christian  conscience  to  the 
Christian  Judge ;    so  that  any  course  of  action  for 
which  we  can  adduce  such  plausible  reasons  as  will 
satisfy  the  world,  we  take  for  granted  as  fit  to  stand 
before  the  bar  of  conscience.      "  If  our  heart  con- 
demn us  not,  then  have  we  confidence  toward  God," 
saith  an  apostle.     But  when,  by  any  process  of  rea- 
soning, we  have  so  justified  our  conduct,  that,  before 
the  tribunal  of  man's  judgment,  we  jDass  free,  we 
may  infer,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  that  our  heart 


88 

should  not  condenin  us ;  from  this  the  step  is  easy 
to  the  conchision  that  it  does  not.  Seeing,  then,  how 
easily  and  insensibly  we  may  fall  into  practical  for- 
getfulness  of  the  great  judgment  which  standeth 
ever  at  the  door,  whose  final  award  we  shall  all  assu- 
redly meet,  it  is  the  business  of  reasonable  men,  it  is 
the  solemn  duty  of  responsible  Christian  men,  when- 
ever, in  God's  providence,  any  event  occurs  which 
teaches  a  great  lesson  on  this  very  point,  to  study  it 
devoutl}^,  reverently.  It  is  the  great  purpose  of  God, 
in  troubling  the  still  waters  of  common  life,  that  we 
should  note  the  descent  of  the  angel  and  gather 
health  from  the  perturbed  element.  Such  a  visita- 
tion has  now  been  made.  It  weakens  the  effect  of 
such  an  event  to  multiply  words  respecting  it.  It  is 
a  world-speaking  sermon — to  the  world  more  imme- 
diately around  us,  among  whom  this  illustrious  per- 
son so  lately  and  so  conspicuously  moved — speaking 
with  especial  emphasis.  May  God  teach  our  hearts 
all  its  lessons.  I  shall  not  pretend  to  present  them 
all,  but  will  endeavour,  by  His  grace,  to  awake  your 
attention  and  my  own  to  that  lesson  at  least  which 
comes  home  to  the  great  business  and  wants  of  our 
daily  life,  and  may  make  us  wise  unto  salvation. 

I  would  remark,  then,  that  in  the  sudden  removal 
of  this  distinguished  person,  from  the  cares,  activi- 
ties, and  responsibilities  of  hfe,  taking  him  (to  use  a 
common  phrase)  to  his  account,  God  was  only  doing 


I 


89 

in  a  way  which  men  in  a  sense  see,  and  therefore 
more  fully  realize,  what  He  was  just  as  really  doing 
at  every  moment  of  his  previous  existence.  Before 
he  came  to  that  great  office,  at  every  instant  of  that 
momentous  period  of  his  life,  up  to  the  very  time 
when  the  Great  Judge  gave  visible  note  of  what  He 
had  never  ceased  to  do — it  is  not  one  whit  more  true 
that  he  has  now  gone  to  his  account,  that  his  Great 
Judge  will  one  day  pronounce  his  final  award,  than 
that  every  day  he  lived  he  was  going  to  it — the 
Judge  just  as  near  to  him,  the  account  going  on,  the 
award  made. 

This  is  true  of  every  human  creature;  but  its 
great  and  startling  truth  is  unquestionably  brought 
more  home  to  us  when  we  have  before  us  some  noted 
instance  like  the  present. 

Let  us  suppose  that  on  that  memorable  fifth  of 
March,  sixteen  months  ago,  a  message  from  God  had 
revealed  to  the  departed  President,  that  which  we 
now  know ! — that  he  had  said  to  him,  "  I  have 
brought  you  to  this  great  office ;  in  the  full  career 
of  its  duties  you  shall  die."  It  is  not  for  any  human 
creature  to  say  whether  it  would  have  changed  or 
modified  any  of  the  acts  of  his  Presidential  career; 
perhaps  I  cannot  express  in  stronger  terms  my  indi- 
vidual estimation  of  the  man  than  to  declare  my 
strong  personal  impression  that  it  would  not.  I  do 
in  my  heart  believe  that  every  act  of  his  official  life 

12 


-? 


90 

was  done  under  the  sense  of  personal  and  official 
resiDonsibility.  But,  unquestionably,  such  a  revela- 
tion would  have  given  awful  solemnity  to  every  deci- 
sion— it  would  have  suffered  no  veil  to  interpose  to 
conceal  motive,  no  conflict  or  combination  of  interests 
to  modify  the  one  great  motive  and  purpose,  to 
repress  the  abiding  conviction,  "I  am  making  up 
my  own  judgment — the  judgment  of  man  is  nothing 
to  me,  except  as  it  responds  to  the  judgment  of  my 
conscience  and  my  God.  I  must  do  my  work — the 
messenger  stands  at  the  door  and  knocks — the  grave 
is  waiting — it  is  my  work — the  instruments  I  use  to 
do  it  must  be  not  those  which  others  like  the  best, 
but  such  as  I  believe  will  do  the  work  the  best." 

Now,  I  am  not  preaching  to  official  people  simply 
— be  the  office  higli  or  low;  I  am  preaching,  and 
this  great  event  is  preaching  to  all.  We  are  all  in 
office ! — an  office  before  which  the  government  of 
the  world  itself  sinks  into  insignificance ;  the  dig- 
nity of  which  was  fully  realized  by  Him  who,  when 
the  world  and  its  glories  were  proffered  to  Him,  saw 
their  comparative  notldngness — the  great  realm  of 
conscience^  the  kingdom  of  God  within  us.  To  the 
administration  of  this  government  all  the  powers  of 
nature  and  of  grace  are  made  subordinate ;  we  may 
use  them  or  abuse  them ;  for  that  use  or  abuse  we 
know  that  we  shall  be  held  accountable.  But  we 
know  it  and  admit  it  in  a  general  way;   and  we 


9  19 

91 

know  that  were  such  a  revehition  made  to  us  as 
that  I  have  intimated,  the  whole  character  and 
tenor  of  life  would  be  affected  by  it.  If  you  and  I 
knew  beyond  the  possibility  of  doubt  that  on  the 
ninth  of  next  July  we  should  die,  I  say  to  you  un- 
hesitatingly that  we  would  not  live  the  coming  year 
as  Ave  have  lived  the  last.  The  world  would  as- 
sume a  different  character  and  relation  to  us;  the 
opinions  and  associations  of  men  would  possess  a 
widely  different  influence.  Things  which  we  think 
of  very  little  importance  because  the  rest  of  the 
world  think  them  so,  would  be  weighed  in  a  very 
different  balance — things  that  occupy  a  large  por- 
tion of  our  attention  and  affection,  because  other 
men  value  or  love  them,  would  sink  immeasurably 
in  the  scale.  Oh  !  it  is  in  the  light  of  such  a  reve- 
lation that  we  should  learn  the  full  force  of  that 
apostolic  injunction  :  "  Love  not  the  world,  nor  the 
things  that  are  in  the  world,"  for  we  should  find, 
amid  all  our  imagined  love  of  God,  and  of  His  truth, 
what  deep-seated  care  and  love  and  worship  of  the 
world  there  is  in  the  best  of  us ;  ay,  and  even  in  the 
best  moods  and  movements  of  the  best  of  us.  Well, 
such  a  revelation  has  been  made — not  of  the  hour 
of  death,  but  the  hour  of  judgment — not  of  years  in 
perspective,  but  in  the  awful  present.  The  eternal 
now  is  judging  us  now.  The  hour  of  death,  indeed, 
is  not  revealed :  but  come  when  it  will,  it  comes  not 


9 

92 

as  the  hour  of  judgment,  but  the  hour  which  tells  us 
that  all  judgment  is  at  an  onl — the  balance  struck, 
the  account  made  up,  the  recording  angel's  function 
ended.  No  more  make-weights  of  faith,  and  prayer, 
and  repentance,  and  sanctity!  The  blood  of  the 
covenant  has  sealed  the  soul  for  its  final  passage  in 
the  great  audit ! — that  blood  which  tells,  that  it  has 
paid  the  debt,  or  douhled  it.  And  as  for  that  hour 
of  death,  we  are  not,  indeed,  told  that  it  shall  come 
in  one,  or  ten,  or  fifty  years,  but  we  are  told  that  it 
shall  come.  Told  !  There  is  not  a  day  we  live  that 
we  are  not  told  it  by  that  which  moves  men's  minds 
more  than  God's  own  revelation.  We  see  infancy 
and  age,  wisdom  and  folly,  poverty  and  riches,  lie 
down  in  that  common  bed.  "But  when?  If  we 
knew  when !  It  would  'make  us  thoughtful,  serious ; 
the  great  business  of  life  would  be  to  make  readj^' " 
Do  you  think  so  ?  I  believe  that  it  would  make 
you  mad — I  l^elieve  that  reason  would  reel  before 
the  dreadful  assurance,  or  that  men's  hearts  would 
run  into  desperate  recklessness.  God,  in  his  mercy, 
has  concealed  the  ichen.  He  has  not  said,  "  This 
night  thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee."  But  he 
has  said,  this  hour  it  may,  some  hour  it  will.  In  the 
construction  of  human  language,  the  potential  and 
the  imperative  are  separate  things.  In  the  divine 
vocabulary  this  distinction  exists  not.  AVhatever 
he  has  said  may  be,  is  not  only  within  his  potential- 


•m 


93 

ity,  but  at  every  moment  is  at  his  fiat,  when  what 
mai/  be  is.  It  is  the  business  of  the  children  of  God 
to  view  all  those  things  which  God,  in  reference  to 
our  condition,  has  pronounced  contingencies,  as 
realities.  This  contingency,  above  all.  And  yet, 
upon  this  simple  diJfTerence  of  the  may  and  the  sJiall 
— creatures  of  intelhgence  and  observation,  as  we 
boast  ourselves — how  absolutely  does  the  whole 
tenor  of  our  lives  and  actions  often  turn ;  we  act  as 
though  the  only  revelation  made  to  us  were  that  of 
the  Psalmist :  "  A  thousand  shall  fall  beside  thee, 
and  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand,  but  it  shall  not 
come  nigh  thee." 

Oh !  may  God's  message  now  awake  us  from  this 
delusion;  making  us  feel  that,  as  in  the  startling 
case  before  us,  revelation  itself  could  not  make  the 
event  more  certain,  so  there  is  a  revelation  always 
speaking  to  us  its  message,  but  now  echoed  by 
heaven's  own  angel,  sounded  abroad  on  the  wide 
surface  of  our  land :  "  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door 
and  knock."  ''Thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee." 
I  have  now  performed  the  function  allotted  me  with 
such  ability  as  God  has  given  me.  I  trust  that  the 
humble  but  very  sincere  tribute  to  one  who  held  so 
high  a  place  among  us  is  not  unsuited  to  the  time  or 
place.  It  is  indeed  a  high  office ;  and  for  our  own 
sake  we  should  honour  all  who  hold  it — honour 
them  living,  honour  them  dead.     We  should  show 


94 

that  those  whom  a  great  people  place  in  such  a  sta- 
tion of  eminence  are,  by  that  single  act,  taken  out 
of  the  category  of  common  men.     While  they  live 
we  should  respect  them,  and  when  they  go  the  way 
of  all  flesh,  I  would  still  have  them  honoured  in  such 
a  way  as  w411  do  good  to  the  living.     There  is  a 
monument  even  now  in  progress  to  the  memory  of 
the  first  President  of  this  country ;  but  how  utterly 
inadequate  must  that  or  any  other  monument  be,  as 
an  expression  of  the  veneration  of  this  country  or  of 
the  world  itself     I  can  imagine  a  monument  more 
worthy  of  the  country  and  of  him ;  one  that  w^ould 
preach  a  great  lesson  to  generations  yet  to  come. 
Let  the  spot  where  the  great  Father  of  his  Country 
reposes  become  national  soil.    Let  there  arise  on  the 
bank  of  his  own  river,  beneath  the  shade  of  his  o^^m 
trees,  a  great  mausoleum — there,  around  his  mortal 
remains,  let  the  bodies  of  all  be  gathered  who  have 
ever  been  chosen  or  shall  ever  be  chosen  by  the 
American  people  to  bear  that  office  which  Wash- 
ington dignified  and  adorned.     I  believe  that  such 
a  monument  might  do  much  to  secure  the  best  suc- 
cession in  the  world,  the  succession  of  virtues  and 
patriotism  like  his  own.     I  am  very  sure  that  it 
would  be  visited  like  a  shrine ;  that  many  a  heart 
would  beat  with   nobler   pulses   when  looking   on 
that  assemblage  of  the  mighty  dead.     And,  if  the 
day  must  come  when  the  fate  of  the  great  nations 


95 

that  have  gone  shall  be  ours;  when  strangers  of 
some  newer  race  and  name  shall  come  hither  to 
visit  the  relics  of  a  people  once  mighty  and  free — 
the  very  memory  of  other  places,  other  names  may 
have  vanished,  but  that  will  remain ;  and  the  world 
will  never  cease  to  bear  record  that  that  must  in- 
deed have  been  a  great  nation  which  had  such  hon- 
ourable sons,  and  so  honoured  them. 

The   benediction    closed   the    Funeral    Services    at   this 
place,  and  the  body  was  removed  to  the  carriage  prepared 
for  it  in  the  order  of  procession,  the  infant  Eberbachs  ming- 
ling their  sweet  voices  with  the  measured  tread  of  the  ma-" 
rines,  who  bore  the  body  to  the  car,  as  they  sang — 

His  triumphs  are  o'er — he's  gone  to  his  rest — 
To  the  throne  of  his  Maker,  the  home  of>the  blest. 
How  peaceful  and  calm  he  now  rests  on  the  bier ! 
Each  heart  droops  in  sadness,  each  eye  sheds  a  tear. 
The  hero,  the  statesman,  his  journey  is  done, 
All  his  cares  now  are  over,  his  last  battle  won ; 
Now  sweetly  he  rests  from  his  sorrows  and  fears, 
And  leaves  a  proud  nation  in  sadness  and  tears. 


i)- 


96 


THE  MILITARY  HONOURS  AND  TROCESSION. 

It  was  past  one  o'clock  before  the  ceremonies  at  the 
Presidential  Mansion  closed ;  and,  soon  after,  the  proces- 
sion began  to  move.  We  enjoyed  a  favourable  post  for  ob- 
servation, having  a  fair  view  of  both  the  civic  and  the 
military  portions  of  it;  and  the  impression  was  that  of  a 
solemnity  every  way  worthy  of  the  occasion.  How  the 
troops  may  have  borne  the  criticism  of  an  experienced  mili- 
tary eye,  we  pretend  not  to  know:  to  us,  certainly,  they 
appeared  well-trained  and  soldierly  in  their  movement,  and 
neat,  tasteful,  and  striking  in  their  many  different  and  con- 
trasting uniforms.  They  were  dra^vn  up  in  line  on  the 
avenue,  fronting  the  Presidential  Mansion,  with  their  offi- 
cers posted  in  military  order ;  and,  when  the  Funeral  Car 
made  its  appearance,  it  was  received  with  the  highest  mili- 
tary honours  amid  solemn  sounds  of  martial  music.  The 
mingling  dirges  filled  the  air,  and  seemed  impressively  to 
chant  to  each  other  the  poet's  immortal  strain, 

"  The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave." 

The  Catafalque,  or  moving  bier,  which  bore  the  mortal 
remains  of  the  late  President,  was  dra-wn  by  eight  white 
horses,  splendidly  caparisoned,  each  led  by  an  attendant 
groom  in  white  turban  and  corresponding  dress.  The  car, 
large  and  elevated,  covered  with  black,  and  hung  round 
with  festoons  of  Avhite  silk,  was  surmounted  by  a  canopy, 
above  which  was  seen  the  American  Eagle,  deeply  shrouded, 
in  fact  almost  hidden,  in  black  crape.     Tlie  coffin  occupied 


«• 


•m 


97 

a  conspicuous  position,  and  was  fully  exposed  to  vicAV.  But 
all  eyes  were  drawn,  even  from  this  solemn  sight,  to  one  still 
more  calculated  to  touch  the  feelings  of  a  promiscuous 
assemblage;  it  was  the  General's  favourite  horse,  the  far- 
famed  "  Old  Wliitey,"  so  Avell  known  to  every  soldier  who 
served  under  the  brave  old  man  through  the  perilous  and 
glorious  Mexican  campaigns.  He  is  a  well-made  animal, 
of  some  fifteen  and  a  half  hands  in  height,  in  fine  condition, 
and,  as  it  seemed,  with  a  military  air.  On  the  saddle  were 
the  holsters  and  inverted  spurs.  Poor  fellow !  he  stepped 
proudly;  but  how  would  his  pride  have  been  quelled,  could 
he  have  known  that  he  now  accompanied  his  beloved  master 
for  the  last  time !  Yes,  Whitey !  you  are  surrounded  by 
soldiers,  as  you  were  wont  to  be ;  the  cannon  thunder  in 
your  ear,  that  is  a  familiar  sound ;  and  near  you  is  he  whose 
heart  never  quailed  and  whose  sword  was  never  turned  back 
from  the  fight ;  but,  alas !  he  has  met,  at  last,  a  foe  he 
could  not  conquer,  and  the  hand  that  so  often  patted  your 
neck  and  reached  you  a  morning  token  of  his  loving  care, 
is  cold  in  death,  and  will  caress  you  no  more  ! 

The  Military  portion  of  the  Funeral  Procession  is  worthy 
of  a  special  notice.  It  was  anticipated  that  many  Volun- 
teer Companies,  and  indeed  military  men  generally,  would 
be  anxious  to  attend  the  obsequies  of  the  illustrious  Chief- 
tain and  President  of  the  Republic ;  and  this  anticipation 
was  fully  realized.  Baltimore  contributed  largely  and 
patriotically  to  the  military  display,  than  which  we  never 
witnessed  a  more  imposing  one  in  this  city. 

From  a  favourable  and  commanding  position  at  the  corner 
of  one  of  the  cross  streets,  we  noticed  the  troops  marching 
in  slow  time,  in  the  following  order : 

13 


98 

Patapsco  Riflemen,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Swain,  preceded 
by  their  Band. 

Independent  Greys'  Band,  of  Baltimore. 

Light  Infantry,  from  Wilmington,  Delaware. 

German  Yagers,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Pracht. 

Maryland  Cadets,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Poor. 

National  Blues,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Chesnut. 

Taylor  Light  Infantry,  from  Catonsvillc,  Maryland,  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Brown,  of  the  Independent  Greys, 
Baltimore.  This  interesting  corps  consisted  of  two  com- 
panies of  youths,  who  are  being  educated  at  St.  Timothy 
Hall.  Their  uniform  was  handsome,  and  they  were  well 
drilled. 

German  Washington  Guards,  of  Baltimore,  Capt. 
Hoffman. 

National  Greys,  of  Washington,  Capt.  Bacon. 

Independent  Greys,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Hall. 

A  platoon  of  commissioned  officers  representing  volun- 
teer companies  of  the  fifty-third  regiment  of  Baltimore. 

A  portion  of  the  patriotic  volunteer  Defenders  of  Balti- 
more in  the  year  1814,  with  their  banner.  Amongst  them 
we  recognised  General  Anthony  Miltenberger,  Joseph  K. 
Stapleton  and  Wm.  P.  Mills,  Esqs. 

First  Baltimore  Sharpshooters,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Lilly. 

Jackson  Guards,  of  Baltimore. 

Independent  Blues,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Shutt. 

Independent  Greys,  of  Georgetown,  Capt.  Goddard. 

National  Guards,  of  Philadelphia,  Capt.  Lyle. 

Mount  Vernon  Guards,  of  Alexandria,  Capt.  Fields. 

Richmond  (Va.)  Blues,  Lieut.  Regnault,  accompanied  by 
their  Band. 


99 

Worth  Infantry,  of  York,  Pennsylvania. 

Eagle  Artillery,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  Phillips. 

A  platoon  of  officers  representing  volunteer  companies  of 
the  fifth  regiment  of  Baltimore. 

Mounted  Carbineers,  of  Baltimore,  Capt.  S.  C.  Owings. 

The  Marine  Band  attached  to  the  Washington  Navy 
Yard. 

Two  companies  of  United  States  Marines,  Capt.  Tansill. 

Walker  Sharpshooters,  of  Washington,  Lieut.  Birkhead. 

Washington  Light  Infantry,  of  Washington,  Capt.  Tate. 

Four  companies  (C,  E,  F,  G)  U.  S.  Artillery,  acting  as 
infantry,  under  the  command,  respectively,  of  Capt.  Bowen, 
Lieut.  Doubday,  Capt.  Williams,  Capt.  Brannan,  and  Lieut. 
Nichols. 

1st  Artillery  Band,  from  Fort  Columbus,  New  York. 

One  company  of  U.  S.  Flying  Artillery,  mounted  and 
fully  equipped,  under  the  command  of  Major  Sedgwick, 
from  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore. 

Officers  of  the  United  States  Navy,  in  uniform,  on  foot. 

Major  Gen.  Jones,  commanding  the  Militia  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  Staff. 

Maj.  Gen.  Scott,  General-in-Chief  of  the  United  States 
Army,  and  Staif. 

Marshal  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  his  Aids. 

Mayors  of  Washington  and  Baltimore. 

Joint  Committee  of  Arrangements  on  the  part  of  the  two 
Houses  of  Congress,  as  follows  : 

Committee  of  the  Senate. 

Mr.  Webster,  of  Massachusetts ;  Mr.  Cass,  of  Michigan ; 
and  Mr.  King,  of  Alabama. 


®- 


100 

Committee  of  the  House. 


Mr.  Conrad,  of  Louisiana, 
Mr.  McDowell,  of  Virginia, 
Mr.  WiNTUKOP,  of  Mass. 
Mr.  BiSSELL,  of  Illinois, 
Mr.  DuER,  of  New  York, 
Mr.  Orr,  of  South  Carolina, 


Mr.  Strong,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Mr.  Vinton,  of  Ohio, 
Mr.  Cabell,  of  Florida, 
Mr.  Kerr,  of  Maryland, 
Mr.  Stanly,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, 
Mr.  Littlefield,  of  Maine. 


Mr.  Breck,  of  Kentucky, 
Chaplains  to  Congress  and  Officiating  Clergymen 
The  Pall  Bearers,  as  follows  : 


Hon.  Henry  Clay, 
Hon.  Lewis  Cass, 
Hon.  J.  M.  Berrien, 

Hon.  R.  C.  WlNTHROP, 

Hon.  James  McDowell, 
Hon.  Hugh  WnriE, 
G.  W.  P.  CusTis,  Esq. 
Chief  Justice  Cranch, 
Major  General  Jesup, 
Commodore  Ballard. 


Hon.  T.  H.  Benton, 
Hon.  Daniel  Webster, 
Hon.  Truman  Smith, 
Hon.  Lynn  Boyd, 
Hon.  S.  F.  Vinton, 
Hon.  Isaac  E.  Holmes, 
Hon.  R.  J.  Walker, 
Joseph  Gales,  Esq. 
Major  General  GiBSON, 
Brig;.  Gen.  Henderson. 


Funeral  Car,  drawn  by  eight  white  horses,  each  horse 
attended  by  a  groom. 

General  Taylor's  horse,  "  Old  Whitey,"  fully  capari- 
soned, attended  by  a  groom. 

The  Family  of  the  late  President  in  three  carriages. 

The  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  Cabinet. 

The  Senate  of  the  United  States,  preceded  by  its  Officers. 

The  House  of  Representatives,  preceded  by  its  Officers. 

The  City  Councils  of  Washington. 


-^ 


101 

Professor  Henry,  and  Officers  of  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitute. 

A  representation  of  the  Firemen  and  of  the  Temperance 
Societies  of  Washington. 

The  Band  of  the  Independent  Blues,  of  Baltimore. 

Clerks  of  the  Executive  Departments  of  the  Government. 

The  Mayor  and  City  Councils  of  Baltimore,  in  mourning. 

Judges  of  Courts,  Citizens,  Strangers,  &c.  &c. 

The  Military  Escort  was  closed  by  Major  General  Scott 
and  his  Staff.  The  noble  and  commanding  figure  of  the 
General-in-Chief,  mounted  on  a  spirited  horse,  and  shadowed 
by  the  towering  plume  of  yellow  feathers  which  marks  his 
rank,  presented  an  object  well  calculated  to  fill  the  eye  and 
to  swell  the  heart  with  patriotic  pride.  He  looks  in  better 
health  than  we  expected,  and  promises  long  to  continue  to 
be  the  pride  of  the  army  and  an  ornament  to  his  country. 
It  is  at  once  an  elevating  and  a  moving  sight  to  behold 
such  a  Hero  as  Taylor  followed  to  the  grave  by  such  a 
Hero  as  Scott. 

The  Funeral  Escort,  of  course,  headed  the  Civic  Proces- 
sion— the  Car  which  bore  the  remains  of  our  late  President 
being  preceded  by  the  Civil  Officers  of  the  District,  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements  of  the  two  Houses  of  Con- 
gress, the  Chaplains  of  Congress,  the  officiating  Clergymen 
of  the  occasion,  the  attending  Physicians  to  the  late  Presi- 
dent, and  the  Pall-Bearers,  twenty  in  number,  whose  names 
have  already  been  announced ;  and  followed  by  the  Fainily 
and  Relatives  of  the  late  President,  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  and  Heads  of  Departments,  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  and  their  Officers,  the  Diplomatic 
Corps,  and  a  great  number  of  official  persons,  as   enume- 


®- 


■® 


102 

rated  in  the  programme,  and  filling  more  than  a  hundred 
carriages.  The  Car  was  formed  on  an  ancient  model.  The 
body  was  eleven  feet  long  and  six  and  a  half  feet  wide.  On 
this  body  rested  a  pyramidal  platform  eight  feet  long,  four 
feet  wide,  and  twelve  inches  high.  From  that  sprung  an 
arch,  five  feet  in  height,  as  a  canopy,  which  was  beautifully 
festooned  with  white  and  black  silk.  On  the  top  of  the 
arch  rested  a  very  large  and  beautiful  gilt  eagle,  enshrouded 
with  crape.  The  body  of  the  Car  was  festooned  with  rich 
black  cloth,  with  black  silk  velvet  in  the  back  ground,  orna- 
mented with  black  and  white  silk  fringe  and  white  rosettes. 
The  pyramidal  platform  was  covered  with  black  silk  velvet, 
interspersed  with  silver  stars  and  tassels.  At  the  corner  of 
each  platform  rested  a  large  gilt  urn. 

The  Procession  extended  nearly  two  miles,  its  rear  being 
at  the  President's  House  when  the  Military  Escort,  which 
occupied  more  than  a  third  of  its  entire  length,  had  passed 
the  Capitol.  It  slowly  wound  its  way  over  the  high  grounds 
east  of  the  Capitol,  pursuing  the  broad  and  lately  improved 
avenue  which  leads  to  the  Congressional  Cemetery.  All 
the  way  along  that  distance,  from  the  starting  point  to  the 
place  of  interment,  were  stationed  private  carriages,  horse- 
men, groups  of  citizens,  families  of  children,  and  a  mixed 
collection  of  expectant  people,  patiently  awaiting  (many  of 
them  for  hours)  the  coming  of  the  mourning  train.  Every 
shady  spot  was  availed  of;  but,  these  being  soon  occupied, 
as  well  as  every  window,  roof,  or  tree  that  would  command 
a  view  of  the  procession,  numbers  sat  or  stood  in  the  burn- 
ing sun,  so  great  was  the  desire  to  witness  the  solemn  spec- 
tacle. 

Arriving  at  the  grave-yard,  the  artillery  were  posted  on  a 


!• 


103 

rising  ground,  the  troops  drawn  up  in  double  line,  and  the 
coffin,  preceded  by  the  Clergy  and  attended  by  the  pall- 
bearers, passed  through  the  centre  gate,  and  slowly  reached 
the  front  of  the  receiving  vault,  which  had  been  tastefully 
decorated  with  festoons  of  black,  and  was  guarded  by  sen- 
tries to  keep  oflF  the  pressure  of  the  crowd,  which  had 
already  filled  the  enclosure.  Here,  the  bier  being  set  down, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Pyne  read  the  solemn  and  beautiful  service 
for  the  dead  appointed  in  the  Episcopal  liturgy ;  when  the 
body  was  taken  up  and  deposited  in  a  place  appointed  for 
its  reception,  until  it  shall  be  finally  removed  to  its  last 
earthly  resting-place  in  the  west,  where  the  remains  of 
Zachaky  Taylor  will  be  emphatically  at  home. 

During  the  ceremony,  as  indeed  during  the  whole  march 
of  the  Procession,  the  utmost  silence  had  prevailed.  The 
eyes  of  the  surrounding  multitude  were  now  directed  with 
deep  interest  and  solicitude  to  the  countenance  of  President 
Fillmore.  It  was  filled  with  solemn  awe,  and  seemed  to 
express  a  meek  and  becoming  sense  of  that  omnipotent  and 
inscrutable  Providence  which  had  thus  suddenly  and  unex- 
pectedly elevated  himself  to  the  highest  human  dignity, 
while  it  struck  down,  as  in  a  moment,  the  great  and  good 
man  whose  ashes  were  before  him.  Yet  there  was  mingled 
with  that  native  modesty  which  never  leaves  him,  a  serene 
firmness,  equally  characteristic  of  the  man,  and  which 
seemed,  to  a  reflective  observer,  to  say  that  the  resistless 
hand  which  had  lifted  him  up,  unsought,  to  so  high  and 
perilous  a  station,  was  as  strong  to  sustain  as  to  elevate. 
To  that  hand,  as  merciful  as  mighty,  is  he  heartily  com- 
mended by  the  hopes,  the  wishes,  and  the  prayers  of  every 
virtuous  American. 

8'  ^ 


104 

Thus  has  a  grateful  Nation  performed  its  last  sad  duty, 
and  yielded  the  latest  of  many  well-earned  tributes  to  the 
honour  of  Zachaky  Taylor.  Of  the  tears  that  have  em- 
balmed his  memory,  many  fell  from  eyes  unwont  to  weep, 
and  many  from  those  whose  relentless  party  ties,  or  whose 
stern  convictions  of  political  duty,  placed  them  in  the  ranks 
of  his  decided  political  opponents.  Opponents  they  may 
have  been,  enemies  they  could  not.  So  much  obvious 
honesty  of  purpose,  so  much  true  devotion  to  the  country's 
cause,  so  much  unpretending  but  unyielding  bravery,  so 
much  unaffected  kindness  of  heart,  united  to  so  much  manly 
sense  and  clear  discernment,  could  excite  the  enmity  of 
nothing  that  deserves  to  be  called  a  man.  If  such  a  feel- 
ing could  ever  live,  it  is  now  dead — buried  in  his  tomb. 
On  that  sacred  tomb  will  flourish  ever  only  the  laurels  of 
his  military  glory,  mingled  with  all  those  milder  wreaths 
of  fragrant  gratitude  which  are  the  meed  of  every  social 
virtue. 


g  f 

105 


IN   SENATE. 


Monday,  July  15,  1850. 


Mr.  Cass,  from  the  committee  appointed  the  10th  inst.  or; 
the  part  of  the  Senate,  jointly  with  the  committee  ap- 
pointed on  the  part  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  to 
consider  and  report  what  measures  it  may  be  proper  to 
adopt  in  order  to  show  the  respect  and  affection  of  Congress 
for  the  memory  of  Zachary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the 
United  States,  reported  a  motion,,  which  was  considered 
by  unanimous  consent,  and  agreed  to,  for  the  printing  of  a 
pamphlet  containing  the  proceedings  and  remarks  in  both 
Houses,  on  the  death  of  the  late  lamented  President. 

Mr.  Webster,  from  the^  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
Senate,  to  join  a  similar  committee  on  the  part  of  the 
House,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  funeral  of  the  late 
President,  reported  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved  hy  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  tlw  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assemhled, 
That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested 
to  transmit  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  two 
Houses  on  the  10th  inst.,  in  relation  to  the  death  of 
the  late  President  of  the  United  States,  to  Mrs. 
Margaret  S.  Tajdor,  and  to  assure  her  of  the  pro- 

14 

#,: ii 


106 

found  respect  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  for  her 
person  and  character,  and  of  their  sincere  condolence 
on  the  late  afflicting  dispensation  of  Providence. 

The  said  resolution  was  read  the  first  and  second  time, 
and  unanimously  adopted,  and  Avas  afterward  concurred  in 
by  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Bills  were  passed  in  both  Houses  authorizing  the  trans- 
mission of  letters  and  packages  free  of  postage  to  the  widow 
of  the  late  President  of  the  United  States,  and  conferring  on 
her  the  franking  privilege. 


Wednesday,  July  17, 1850. 


Agreeably  to  notice,  Mr.  "Webster  asked  and  obtained 
leave  to  bring  in  the  following  Bill,  which  was  read  the  first 
and  second  time  by  unanimous  consent,  and  unanimously 
passed  by  the  Senate.  It  was  pending  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  when  this  pamphlet  went  to  press. 

A  Bill  for  Oie  erection  of  a  Monument  to  tlie  Diemory  of  Zacliary 
Taylor^  late  President  of  the  United  States. 

Be  it  enacted  hy  tlw  Senate  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  tl\£  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  as- 
semUedy  That  the  Commissioner  of  the  Public  Build- 
ings be  and  he  hereljy  is  directed  to  cause  to  be 
erected  in  the  burial  ground  of  the  city  of  AVashing- 
ton  a  neat  and  appropriate  Monument  to  the  memory 
of  Zaciiary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United 


i)  f 

107 

States,  who  died  at  Washington,  the  9th  July,  1850, 
with  a  suitable  inscription  on  the  same,  stating  the 
name,  station,  age  and  time  of  death  of  the  deceased. 

Sec.  2.  And  he  it  furtlier  enacted,  That  a  sum,  not 
exceeding  two  thousand  dollars,  be,  and  the  same  is 
hereby,  appropriated  for  the  payment  of  the  cost 
thereof,  from  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  other- 
wise appropriated. 


k  8 


APTENDIX. 


It  was  discovered,  after  a  portion  of  this  edition  was 
printed,  that  some  remarks  made  by  Mr.  Speaker  Cobb, 
and  by  Mr.  McLane,  were  accidentally  omitted,  which  we 
now  supply  in  the  only  place  at  our  disposal.        \_Printe)\'] 


The  Speaker  rose  and  addressed  the  House,  as  follows : 
Gentlemen  :  Your  session  of  yesterday  was  brought 
to  an  early  close  by  the  announcement  of  the  dan- 
gerous illness  of  the  President.  It  is  my  duty  to-day 
to  lay  before  you  an  official  communication  of  his 
death.  It  is  my  purpose  simply  to  make  the  an- 
nouncement, not  to  dwell  upon  it;  that  duty  will 
more  properly  devolve  upon  others.  Whilst,  gentle- 
men, our  own  body  has  been  peculiarly  exempt 
during  its  present  sittings,  from  the  fatality  which 
usually  attends  a  protracted  session,  we  should  not 
be  regardless  of  the  solemn  Avarnings  which  Provi- 
dence has  extended  to  us  in  the  death  of  those  asso- 
ciated vnih  us  in  the  administration  of  our  National 
Government.  The  victims  who  have  been  sum- 
moned to  the  tomb  have  been  less  remarkable  for 

108 


o 


109 

their  number  than  their  exalted  character  and  po- 
sition. 

For  the  first  time  in  our  history  has  the  Chief 
Executive  of  the  Union  been  stricken  down  during 
the  session  of  Congress.  It  devolves  a  novel  and 
solemn  duty  upon  the  representatives  of  the  people. 
As  the  organ  of  this  House,  delegated  with  the  mere 
expression  of  its  resolves,  I  feel  it  appropriate  to  in- 
dulge in  no  suggestions  of  my  own,  or  expressions  of 
personal  emotions.  I  cannot,  however,  forbear  from 
uttering  the  confident  assurance  that  it  will  be  your 
melancholy  satisfaction  to  adopt  the  most  appropriate 
manifestations  of  the  profound  sensibility  which  this 
afilicting  dispensation  must  awaken  throughout  the 
Union,  and  to  concur  in  every  mark  of  respect  to 
the  memory  of  the  distinguished  patriot  who  has 
been  so  suddenly  summoned  from  the  high  honours 
and  responsibilities  of  the  Chief  Magistracy,  to  which 
he  had  been  called  by  his  grateful  countrymen,  to 
the  repose  of  the  grave. 

Mr.  McLane,  of  Maryland. 

Mr.  Speaker,  I  hope,  sir,  late  as  the  hour  is  in 
this  day's  proceedings,  I  may  be  indulged  in  respond- 
ing to  an  invitation  of  some  friends  around  me,  by 
giving  pubhc  expression  to  those  sentiments  of  per- 
sonal friendship  and  respect  which  I  entertain  for 
the  illustrious  deceased ;  and  when  I  say,  sir,  that 


■» 


110 

my  acquaintance  with  General  Taylor  had  its  origin 
long  before  either  he  or  I  had  engaged  in  the  heated 
strifes  of  political  life — when  we  both  served  under 
the  same  flag,  as  brethren  in  arms — I  shall  not  be 
deemed  obtrusive.  He  was  then,  sir,  in  command 
of  the  army  in  Florida,  and  I  was  an  humble  officer 
of  one  of  the  corps  of  that  army.  At  this  period  of 
his  life,  he  was  already  distinguished  by  those  high 
qualities  of  courage,  fortitude,  and  virtue,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  public  duties,  as  he  was  for  that  extra- 
ordinary benevolence  and  kindness  which  so  endeared 
him  to  his  family  and  friends.  Sir,  I  formed  for  him 
then  a  respect  and  friendship  which  I  retained  un- 
diminished to  the  hour  of  his  death,  and  which  shall 
he  cherished  for  his  memory,  now  that  the  hand  of 
God  has  translated  him  from  the  scene  of  his  earthly 
life  and  trial. 

Subsequently,  sir,  I  again  met  General  Taylor, 
at  the  head  of  his  army  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  I  delivered  to  him  in  his  camp  at  Mon- 
terey, the  orders  of  his  Government,  which  an- 
nounced to  him,  that  the  military  plans  and  policy 
of  the  country  were  to  be  materially  modified  and 
changed.  The  northern  States  of  Mexico,  then 
about  to  be  invaded,  were  to  be  left  unmolested,  and 
the  entire  military  power  of  our  people  was  to  be 
directed  upon  the  city  of  Mexico,  by  a  new  line  of 
operations.     Those  operations,  sir,  left  liim  to  the 


111 

comparatively  humble  task  of  a  defensive  campaign 
in  the  valley  of  the  Kio  Grande,  while  the  more  glo- 
rious and  decisive  movement  upon  the  city  of  Mexico, 
seemed  likely  to  fall  to  the  lot  of  some  more  fortunate 
commander.  On  this  occasion,  sir,  it  was  my  privi- 
lege and  my  dutj^  to  confer  with  him  fully  paid  con- 
fidentially on  the  part  of  his  Government,  and  it 
afforded  me,  sir,  the  opportunity  to  witness  once 
more  a  rare  display  of  those  qualities  to  which  I 
have  already  referred,  of  fortitude,  and  courage,  and 
patience,  and  I  must  add  fidelity  to  the  Government 
which  he  served.  It  is  not  for  me,  at  this  moment, 
when  I  have  so  unexpectedly,  but  I  hope  not  intru- 
sively, touched  this  topic,  to  refer  to  those  extraor- 
dinary events,  which  soon  followed,  and  which  in- 
vested his  defensive  j)osition  with  singular  and 
startling  importance,  and  which  finally  led  him  to 
the  field  of  Buena  Vista,  where  he  accomplished  a 
victory  so  brilliant  and  wonderful,  that  it  must  rest, 
sir,  as  the  crown  of  glory  to  that  war,  while  it  will 
through  all  time  adorn  his  fame  as  an  illustrious 
soldier.  My  reference  to  these  events,  sir,  is  that  I 
may  mark  my  association  with  General  Taylor,  to 
events  near  to  his  own  personal  fame  and  honour, 
and  apart  from  those  passages  in  life,  when  he  was 
necessarily  associated  with  the  political  and  par- 
tisan excitements  of  the  country;  this  course  ena- 
bles me,  sir,  not  only  to  forego,  but  to  be  altogether 


4 


112 

insensible  to  any  influences  tliey  might  excite,  and 
to  render  his  memory  on  this  occasion,  my  most  pro- 
found homage  and  respect.  As  the  statesman,  sir, 
he  was  necessarily  exposed  to  encounter  the  strife  of 
contending  sentiment  and  opinion,  and  I  feel  happy, 
sir,  at  this  instant,  that  I  knew  him  in  a  life  of  high 
and  noble  action,  in  which  he  developed  the  highest 
attributes  of  American  character — patriotism.  And 
whatever  might  be  the  relation  we  would  respectively 
hold  to  his  political  opinions  or  policy,  it  is  cheering 
to  feel  that  his  life  has  left  us  all  an  example,  dis- 
playing qualities  of  the  head  and  heart,  which  to 
cultivate  and  cherish  should  be  our  first  and  chief 
duty.  This  humble  tribute,  plainly  and  I  fear  im- 
perfectly expressed,  I  beg  to  submit  on  my  own  part, 
and  for  the  people  I  represent,  with  a  further  ex- 
pression of  condolence  for  those  who  remain  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  a  husband,  father,  brother  and 
friend. 


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